[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 63 (Wednesday, April 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E501-E502]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                CELEBRATING CALVERT'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILL FLORES

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 18, 2018

  Mr. FLORES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the one-hundred-and-
fiftieth anniversary of the City of Calvert, Texas.
  It is an honor to represent Calvert and its residents in the U.S. 
House of Representatives.
  Calvert has supported thousands of families and businesses throughout 
the years, and I am proud to offer my congratulations on their 
sesquicentennial milestone.
  Located in Robertson County, Calvert was established along the 
Houston and Texas Central Railway which was built through the area in 
1868.
  The town is named in honor of Robert Calvert, a farmer with large 
cotton and corn operations, who advocated for the railroad to come 
through Robertson County.

[[Page E502]]

  Settlers moved into the area to be closer to the rail which brought 
the promise of commerce and faster transportation of cotton from the 
farms along the Brazos River.
  The town began to grow as businesses were established along Main 
Street, which ran parallel to the railroad; allowing them to take 
advantage of easy loading and unloading.
  In the late 1800's and early 1900's Calvert was booming; it was a 
major cotton center, with a number of gins, cotton compresses and 
cottonseed oil mills. Unfortunately, floods, fires and a yellow fever 
epidemic, coupled with a drop in cotton prices reduced economic 
opportunities and the town's population.
  While the city's population is smaller it has stood the test of time 
and the city has been resilient.
  Today the city is reinventing itself as a historically charming 
destination, as much of its Victorian Era architecture is well 
preserved, telling the stories of Texas Pioneers. The current residents 
of Calvert are a hardy people, who are justifiably proud of the city's 
rich heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in commemorating the City of Calvert and 
its proud residents for their one-hundred-and-fiftieth anniversary.
  In recognition of this occasion, I am pleased to fly a United States 
flag over the United States Capitol to honor Calvert's sesquicentennial 
anniversary.
  As I close, I urge all Americans to continue praying for our country 
during these difficult times, for our military men and women who 
protect us from external threats, and for our first responders who 
protect us here at home.

                          ____________________