[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E414]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CELEBRATING ODESSA'S 120TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. CATHY McMORRIS RODGERS

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 27, 2022

  Mrs. RODGERS of Washington. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
the 120th anniversary of the founding of Odessa, Washington. To 
outsiders, Odessa may seem like a small rural town in Eastern 
Washington, but to those of us who know it well, it is a town full of 
entrepreneurial spirit, love for America, and passionate people--past 
and present.
  First settled in the 1880s by cattlemen, Odessa is nestled in the 
Channeled Scab lands of Eastern Washington, which is one of the seven 
wonders of the Evergreen State. Shortly after, the Great Northern 
Railroad was built, and railroad officials sought to attract immigrants 
to buy up land, grow wheat, and ship the crop by rail. This transformed 
the town from a painted sign to a booming economy.
  Homesteader George Finney, seeing the potential for greatness, 
donated his land to establish Odessa in 1899. He was right. In just a 
few short years, more immigrants arrived, participating in the local 
economy and growing the town culturally and spiritually.
  Today, Odessa is a vibrant community that more than 1,000 residents 
call home. The town's rich tradition of hard work and grit makes it a 
shining example of small town America and the hope of a better future. 
With approximately 80 percent of Odessa residents able to trace their 
ancestry to the Black Sea and Volga Germans, the town will celebrate 
their 51st annual Deutschesfest this September with authentic German 
food, live music, a city-block large biergarten, parades, and a street 
fair.
  As the representative in Congress for this one-of-a-kind town, I am 
so inspired by Odessa's dedication to keeping its heritage alive 
through education. The residents are committed to ensuring their kids 
become the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs, just like 
their ancestors. On this most special day, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Odessa's 120 years of remarkable history and 
celebrating their personification of the American spirit.

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