[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1329]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF THE FLORY QUARRY HOIST AND ``SLATE QUARRY'' HERITAGE 
                            MURAL DEDICATION

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. MATT CARTWRIGHT

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. CARTWRIGHT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to share a story of community 
spirit. On Saturday, September 17, an assembly of volunteers, 
coordinated by the Slate Belt Community Partnership and the Tots Gap 
Art Institute, dedicated the Flory Quarry Hoist and Slate Quarry 
heritage mural in downtown Bangor, Pennsylvania.
  Industrial historian Mike Piersa spearheaded the initiative and 
donated the 28,500 pound, 116-year-old hoist. It was built by the S. 
Flory Manufacturing Company not far from where it is now installed in 
Bangor's Bethel Park. Until 1980, the hoist was in use at the Albion 
Quarry in Pen Argyl, PA. Powered by a steam engine, it routinely lifted 
10,000-pound slate blocks. The Slate Belt region of Pennsylvania was a 
major producer of slate used for shingles, blackboards, and pencils.
  The Slate Quarry mural features a day of work at a quarry. The Tots 
Gap Arts' Heritage Mural Education Program gives youth an active, 
creative role in community revitalization by promoting heritage and 
building community relationships and pride.
  For these good works, I commend this group of volunteers for 
investing in their past to invigorate the vitality of their future.

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