[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 137 (Wednesday, November 12, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     BERGEN 350TH ANNIVERSARY GALA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 12, 2014

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I would like to bring to your attention 
the outstanding achievement of the 350th anniversary of New Jersey's 
statehood. Furthermore, I am proud to celebrate the historic tradition 
of Bergen County and its many important contributions to the history of 
New Jersey as part of the Bergen 350 Gala. As one of the first four 
original counties of New Jersey, I have the honor of being its 
Representative in the U.S. Congress.
  Founded by Dutch settlers in the 17th century, the area of Bergen 
County was settled as part of the New Netherlands, the 17th century 
North American colonial province of the Dutch Republic. In 1683, Bergen 
County received official recognition as an independent county by New 
Jersey's provincial assembly.
  It is clear that Bergen County has played a crucial role in shaping 
the proud history of the Garden State.
  In the Revolutionary War, Bergen County demonstrated its commitment 
to American independence. In fact, Fort Lee served as a key strategic 
asset to General Washington and his army.
  In the Civil War, Company K of the 22nd Volunteer Infantry Regiment 
trained at the Civil War Drill Hall Theatre, which still stands in 
Leonia today. In World War I, Bergen County made use of innovative 
agricultural knowledge to support the war effort, canning fruits and 
vegetables and sending them to where they were needed.
  After the nation fell into the Great Depression, Bergen County hosted 
numerous Work Projects Administration projects like the murals that 
decorate the County Courthouse in Hackensack. At the onset of World War 
II, Bergen County once again demonstrated its commitment to the nation, 
with more than 26,000 of its residents enlisting to serve.
  In the Civil Rights Era, Teaneck became one of the earliest towns to 
voluntarily integrate its public schools by busing, doing so in 1964.
  I am truly honored to represent Bergen County as part of New Jersey's 
9th Congressional District in the United States Congress. As such, I 
was proud to cosponsor H. Res. 624, to honor the 350th anniversary of 
the founding of New Jersey and recognize the valuable contributions of 
people of the Garden State.
  As we move forward, I would like to recognize the Bergen County 
Historical Society and the Bergen 350 Gala on October 15th, 2014 to 
commemorate the role of Bergen County in light of the state of New 
Jersey's 350th Anniversary.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me, our colleagues, and the state of 
New Jersey in recognizing the historic contributions of Bergen County 
in honor of the 350th anniversary of New Jersey's statehood.

                          ____________________