[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 22 (Thursday, February 3, 2022)]
[House]
[Page H923]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL SEES HIS SHADOW

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, yesterday was a big day 
in the 15th Congressional District of Pennsylvania.
  Early in the morning, tens of thousands of spectators gathered at 
Gobbler's Knob in Jefferson County to await the weather prediction from 
Pennsylvania's most famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil.
  For over 120 years, our furry friend has been predicting our winter 
weather. This tradition stems from Pennsylvania's strong German 
heritage. Legend has it that if Phil sees his shadow, it is an omen of 
6 more weeks of winter. If not, we know spring is just around the 
corner.
  Groundhog Day is an unusual event full of traditions and 
celebrations. Crowds begin to gather the night before and wake Phil up 
by chanting his name in the early hours of the morning on February 2. 
As our weather predictor extraordinaire emerges from his burrow, the 
Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle president translates Phil's 
prediction and relays the message to the crowd.
  Records of our meteorologist rodent date back to 1887, with the first 
story appearing in the Punxsutawney Spirit. In the years since, Phil 
has predicted a longer winter 105 times and an early spring only 20 
times.
  Our seer of seers saw his shadow, thus predicting 6 more weeks of 
cold and snowy weather.
  Madam Speaker, let's keep those winter layers close by. Happy 
Groundhog Day.

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