[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 128 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE BICENTENNIAL OF THE TOWN OF DAVENPORT

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                           HON. JOHN J. FASO

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2017

  Mr. FASO. Mr. Speaker, today I honor the Town of Davenport on the 
occasion of its bicentennial. On March 31, 1817, Davenport was 
established as a new town in Delaware County, New York. It is named for 
its founder, John Davenport, who first settled there less than a decade 
earlier and laid down the roots for what would become the vibrant 
community that exists today.
  For over 200 years, Davenport has participated in the American story, 
contributing to our great state and nation. On the weekend of July 29, 
2017, the residents of Davenport will hold a well-deserved celebration 
of its history and accomplishments. In the neighborly and hospitable 
tradition of Davenport, this bicentennial celebration will reflect the 
values of this beautiful community, bringing families and residents 
together to commemorate the town they love and share.
  I formally thank the Town of Davenport and each of its residents of 
the past two centuries for their contributions to our Catskills 
community and our Upstate New York home.
  Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record Davenport Town Supervisor Dennis 
Valente's statement regarding the Town of Davenport's bicentennial:

       An Anniversary is a time to look back. 200 years seems so 
     long ago. However, a look back over the Town's history brings 
     the present Davenport community closer together with our 
     ancestors. It is with a good deal of enjoyment that we 
     explore the past and realize the value of the old saying: the 
     more things change, the more things stay the same.
       The first meeting for the Town of Davenport was in April 
     1817. The town recognized the need for our community to work 
     together between neighbors and the community at large. The 
     delicate balance of open space and individual property rights 
     was addressed first in regard to free ranged animals.
       Along these past 200 years the Town has found itself 
     involved in many issues including the establishment of local 
     cemeteries, and community sacrifice in times of war. 
     Immigrants from many countries settled here to be our 
     blacksmiths, work our tanneries, and build our railroads. The 
     work of woman suffrage was engaged by `bloomer girls' at 
     Sexsmith Lake in 1911. Rural electrification of the 1930s was 
     a struggle so similar to the rural internet broadband 
     availability struggle today.
       The acknowledgment of a shared sense of values, with 
     neighbors long ago, adds purpose to present day community 
     engagement. We are a Town that endeavors to settle conflicts 
     with reasoned engagement and a community that offers a 
     helping hand when the need calls.

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