[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 36 (Friday, February 24, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E145]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





    CELEBRATION OF THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE KANSAS CITY PUBLIC 
                        LIBRARY'S WESPORT BRANCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EMANUEL CLEAVER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 24, 2023

  Mr. CLEAVER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Kansas 
City Public Library's Westport Branch for its one hundred twenty-fifth 
anniversary of service. For more than a century, the Westport Library 
has nurtured Missouri's Fifth Congressional District with public 
services and resources that help keep our community afloat. As Kansas 
City's first library branch to have opened, the Westport Library paved 
the way for the current library system in Kansas City to exist.
  The Westport Library first opened its doors to the community on 
February 22, 1898, under the name Allen Library in honor of Arthur M. 
Allen, who made its inception possible. After having discovered a 
surplus of $7,500 in taxes collected for the construction of a horse 
railroad line between Westport and Kansas City, Allen decided to go 
against the city in court to secure the funds and establish a community 
library.
  Allen won the court case and began the process to open the library. 
With the money won, the land to build the library was purchased for 
$1,800 and the library built for $5,012. To ensure that there would be 
books for the newly built library, Allen, who was a member of the 
Westport School Board, helped allocate a total budget of $2000 so that 
the library could be stocked for its visitors. The library opened to 
the Westport community with Margurite Smith as its first librarian 
providing local residents with knowledge, resources, and a place for 
exchanging ideas. Then, when Kansas City annexed Westport, the Allen 
Library became the first branch of the Kansas City Public Library 
system, continuing to bear Allen's name on its outside walls. Without 
the establishment of the Westport Library, generations upon generations 
would not have had the access to books and the opportunity to nurture 
their intellectual curiosity.
  Throughout its one hundredth and twenty fifth years of existence, the 
Westport Library has stood as a landmark in Kansas City's Midtown 
community. This historic building serves as a meeting place for 
students and residents looking for resources such as free Wi-Fi, help 
obtaining a passport, historic archives, and books to read. Now more 
than ever, the public service that the Westport library has provided 
for the residents of Kansas City must be applauded.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in congratulating the current and 
former staff members of this establishment who have worked tirelessly 
to connect people with ideas, services, and resources that make our 
community a better place. The Westport Library set the stage for the 
creation of the Kansas City Public Library system that exists today and 
that continues to bridge the gap between useful information and our 
neighbors. The Westport Library's contribution to Kansas City's 
population cannot be overstated, and I have no doubt that they will 
continue this important work over the next century and beyond.

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