[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 12 (Friday, January 19, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E79]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING ED MORROW

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. PETER WELCH

                               of vermont

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 19, 2018

  Mr. WELCH. Mr. Speaker, Ed Morrow was born in Manhattan eighty years 
ago. His father was a New York Times correspondent and Ed went to 
primary school in France and high school in Argentina. Fifty-four years 
ago Ed met Barbara in a political science class at Columbia University 
and they made a smart decision. They've now been married for fifty-four 
years. They had two children, Andy and Chris, in their home on Croton-
on-Hudson, New York and were living a vibrant life.
  They then made a decision, forty-one years ago, which indicated to 
many people that they had lost their minds.
  Ed and Barbara sold their home, quit their jobs, and put all their 
eggs in one basket. They moved to Manchester, Vermont to open an 
independent book store.
  These New Yorkers, Ed and Barbara, were welcomed in the rural 
community of Manchester with open arms. They worked hard, were friendly 
and open, and were bringing something that Vermonters really wanted, a 
bookstore. Ed and Barbara did the impossible. The Northshire bookstore 
they started in 1976, first located next to the Factory Point bank on 
Main Street in Manchester, has not only survived the ups and downs of 
bookselling and Internet retailing, but has thrived and become a center 
for community activity. Ed and Barbara were novices but they knew they 
made the right decision.
  Forty-one years ago, when an apprehensive Vermonter asked whether the 
store they were fixing up ``was going to be an adult bookstore'' they 
were happy their focus was on children's books. Others wanted music, 
and Ed and Barbara provided the LPs, then the music medium.
  How does a person like Ed who had no experience in the bookselling 
world become a master? He plunged in, along with Barbara, becoming 
members of the New England Book Sellers Association. Quickly, Ed became 
its president. They also joined the American Book Sellers Association 
where Ed became a board member and then president. His reputation 
spread. Ed was asked to travel to Eastern European countries--the Czech 
Republic, Hungary, Romania, and Russia--to teach their publishers and 
booksellers about the free enterprise system. After Ed and Barbara's 
sons completed their college education, they joined the Northshire 
bookstore team. Andy became knowledgeable about used books and Chris 
ultimately ran the business.
  Over the years the Northshire bookstore has expanded from a tiny walk 
in shop to a renovated and beautiful building that was formerly the 
Colburn House. It stands dead center at the cross roads of Manchester, 
Vermont. Ed and Barbara's efforts were rewarded by a growing clientele, 
a wonderful enthusiastic staff, and an author reading program that 
contributed to the cultural vibrancy of the region and all of Vermont.
  Ed and Barbara never stopped. As they were nearing ``retirement'' 
they responded to another unanticipated opportunity. Members of the 
Saratoga Springs community also wanted a bookstore, modeled after 
Northshire. Ed and Barbara opened what is now another thriving, 
independent bookstore in Saratoga Springs.
  Vermonters throughout the state are celebrating the 80th birthday of 
Ed Morrow, a person who, with his wife, Barbara, has contributed every 
day to the civic life that makes small town Vermont a place of strong 
personal ties, civic cooperation, and intellectual ferment.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to pay tribute to Ed Morrow, not only as a 
giant of Vermont, but a leader in the United States on the value and 
importance of independent bookstores.

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