[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 97 (Tuesday, July 9, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S5565]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ESCANABA, MICHIGAN

 Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, the city of Escanaba celebrates its 
sesquicentennial anniversary this year. This great occasion will be 
marked by a host of festivities. Escanaba, like many cities and towns 
across the Upper Peninsula in Michigan, has added greatly to our 
State's rich history and cultural heritage. It is through active 
communities like Escanaba that the spark of innovation and ingenuity 
has been nurtured for generations.
  Escanaba is a city with a natural charm that is impossible to miss. 
The city is named after the Escanaba River, a 52-mile winding river 
that is central to the formation and growth of the city. Lured by the 
majestic river of flat rocks, travelers settled in this region to 
cultivate the area's many natural features and to live alongside the 
Little Bay de Noc. These waterways are the lifeblood of this community. 
The city is full of wonder and opportunity for the families who make 
this community home. It is also a fertile ground for wildlife and an 
inviting host for fishermen and outdoor enthusiasts alike.
  The first permanent settlement dates back to the 1830s to Louis 
Roberts, a fur trader. A steady stream of families would follow Mr. 
Roberts to the area, and soon after, sawmills would eventually spring 
up along the river. The area that would become Escanaba was surveyed by 
Eli P. Royce and formally established in 1863. It is from these humble 
beginnings that this city by the river was formed. The sawmills fueled 
investment and industry, and the city's population grew as a result. 
Today, the area is home to manufacturing, lumbering, hardwood flooring, 
commercial fishing, paper making, and more. As with many cities and 
towns in the Upper Peninsula, Escanaba's history is both fascinating 
and full of character. It is steeped in family, faith, and 
perseverance.
  There are many reasons to visit this part of Michigan and to enjoy 
what makes this area special. In addition to the striking natural 
wonder that abounds, Escanaba also offers a number of historically 
significant landmarks, including the House of Ludington, Ludington 
Park, William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, and Sandy Point Lighthouse. The 
Sandy Point Lighthouse was built in 1867 to welcome travelers to the 
city by boat. This vital structure predates the railroad and would 
serve an integral role in the city's development for seven decades.
  The 150th anniversary of Escanaba is a celebration of the important 
place this proud community holds in the ever-evolving story of our 
great State of Michigan. It is, indeed, a tribute to the strength and 
perseverance of its citizens and emblematic of America's working 
families who form the foundation of sprawling and vibrant communities 
across our Nation. I know my colleagues in the Senate join me in 
saluting the residents of Escanaba as they celebrate the 
sesquicentennial anniversary of this fine city. I wish them centuries 
more opportunity, advancements, and individual achievement.

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