[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 165 (Friday, October 18, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING STEUBEN RURAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE, INC. FOR ITS SEVENTY-FIFTH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

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                             HON. TOM REED

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 18, 2019

  Mr. REED. Madam Speaker, today I rise to recognize Steuben Rural 
Electric Cooperative, Inc. for its seventy-fifth anniversary.
  The Steuben Electric Association, Inc., was formed in July 1941 under 
the Transportation Corporations Law and was later converted to an 
electric distribution cooperative in 1942. At that time, the 
cooperative had five hundred and three miles of line and one thousand 
three hundred members. Two years later, its first electric line was 
energized.
  Cooperatives such as Steuben Rural Electric made it possible for 
rural areas to have access to electric during the 1930s in areas that 
would not have otherwise had this service. Without these ingenious 
organizations, our rural areas would not be what they are today--we owe 
a debt of gratitude to the rural electric movement that allowed our 
farmers to use lights instead of lanterns and brought much needed power 
to the people of these rural communities.
  In 1969, the Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. and the 
Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Electric Cooperative, Inc. began discussing the 
possibility of a merger. That merger came to completion in 1970 and 
made the Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative the largest of four New 
York cooperatives.
  However, these services are still needed, from Steuben County to 
Cattaraugus County and beyond. Currently, the cooperative has grown to 
include one thousand one hundred miles of line, serving six thousand 
three hundred homes, farms and small businesses. With such a rich 
legacy and a bright future, I know we will see many more great things 
from Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative.
  Given the above, I ask that this Legislative Body pause in its 
deliberations and join me to recognize Steuben Rural Electric 
Cooperative, Inc. for their seventy-fifth anniversary.

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