[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 97 (Friday, June 20, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1040]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 350TH ANNIVERSARY OF MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, NEW 
                                 JERSEY

                                  _____
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 20, 2014

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Middletown 
Township, New Jersey as it celebrates its 350th Anniversary this year. 
It is my honor to join the residents in celebration of this significant 
milestone.
  Middletown village is a National Register of Historic Places historic 
district. One of the oldest settlements in New Jersey, Middletown was 
established by English settlers from western Long Island and New 
England by the Monmouth Patent. It was settled on land acquired from 
local Native Americans and was one of three villages settled at the 
time, including Portland Point, which was unsuccessful, and Shrewsbury.
  In 1693, Middletown was one of the three municipalities organized 
into Monmouth County. Still one of the largest townships in New Jersey, 
Middletown has seen its borders change several times over the years, 
including the 1848 formation of Raritan Township, the 1887 secession of 
Atlantic Highlands and the 1900 secession of Highlands. The local 
neighborhoods of Port Monmouth, East Keansburg, Belford, Leonardo, 
Locust, New Monmouth, Navesink, and Lincroft have their own history and 
create Middletown's unique identity and character.
  In 1913 a high school built in the Leonardo section of Middletown was 
the first rural high school in the area. Also in 1913, Middletown's 
first library, the private Navesink Library, opened. The Middletown 
Public Library opened seven years later.
  The First Town Book in Middletown, dated 1667, marks the first formal 
records of the township. The New Jersey State Legislature approved a 
special charter in 1971 establishing the township's current form of 
government. In its 350th year, Middletown Township is governed by Mayor 
Stephanie Murray, Deputy Mayor Kevin Settembrino, and Committeemen 
Anthony Fiore, Stephen Massell and Gerard Scharfenberger.
  Mr. Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in 
marking the 350th Anniversary of Middletown Township and celebrating 
its rich history.

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