[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 158 (Thursday, September 29, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Page S5536]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                   BICENTENNIAL OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY

 Mr. BRAUN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 200th 
anniversary of the founding of Montgomery County, IN, and the unique 
contributions that the Montgomery County community has made to the 
United States.
  This December, Montgomery County celebrates the bicentennial of its 
foundation. Montgomery County is a place one could characterize as 
quintessentially ``Indiana:'' the mellow bends of Sugar Creek crossed 
with covered bridges; the buzzing hometown feel of Crawfordsville; and 
the ambitious energy of Wabash college--all hallmarks of Indiana that 
make my State such a wonderful place to live. Over two centuries, this 
county has steadily grown from a handful of log cabins into a historic 
community, contributing greatly to American history and culture.
  Consider, for instance, Lew Wallace, a highly accomplished citizen 
who spent much of his life in Crawfordsville. Wallace left his career 
as a lawyer to fight for the Union in the Civil War, rising to the rank 
of general. Later, he served as Governor of the territory of New 
Mexico. After completing his service to the United States and returning 
to Crawfordsville, Wallace published his highly acclaimed and 
influential novel, ``Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ.'' It soon became 
the best-selling novel of the 19th century and is still adapted for 
stage and film today.
  Now, I could not commemorate Montgomery Country without mentioning 
its important role in the story of Indiana's favorite sport, 
basketball. Indeed, according to many historical sources, Montgomery 
County served as the launch pad for the sport of basketball in Indiana. 
The first Indiana High School Athletic Association basketball 
championship was won by Crawfordsville High School in 1911, and the 
following eight Indiana high school basketball champions were located 
within thirty miles of Montgomery County. Piggy Lambert, one highly 
influential basketball coach from Purdue University, played basketball 
at Crawfordsville High School and Wabash College. Even scenes from the 
legendary movie ``Hoosiers'' were filmed in New Richmond, cementing 
Indiana's relationship with basketball in American culture.
  Finally, I want to address Wabash College, my alma mater. The time 
that I spent at Wabash College impressed upon me the qualities that 
make Montgomery County not only special, but representative of Indiana. 
Founded in 1832, on what was then our Nation's western frontier, Wabash 
College has produced thousands of influential graduates across many 
fields. As president of the student body at Wabash College, I had 
plenty of experience to prepare me for my careers in business and 
public service.
  In closing, I am delighted to honor Montgomery County, and I want to 
congratulate the communities of Montgomery County for 200 years of 
meaningful contributions to American history and culture. Thank 
you.

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