[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H3099]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING THE SMALLEST CITY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

  (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, I rise today to 
recognize the smallest city in the United States of America: the city 
of Parker in Armstrong County. Nestled in the beautiful Allegheny River 
Valley, Parker City is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.
  What started as a village with nearly 1,000 people grew almost 
overnight to become a booming oil metropolis with a population of more 
than 20,000 in the late 1800s.
  For the next 10 years, Parker became a place of great activity with 
more than 1,000 oil wells, saloons, stores, hotels, and machine shops.
  While the oil boom was short-lived, the spirit of Parker was strong. 
By the 1890s, the population of Parker was back to nearly 1,000.
  Madam Speaker, today Parker is a great retreat for those wanting to 
enjoy the quiet river setting as a peaceful escape from urban life. The 
population stands at about 900 people, making it the smallest city in 
the USA.
  Parker is celebrating 150 years as a city on July 15. They will have 
fireworks, parades, local vendors, and a river float.
  Madam Speaker, if you ever find yourself in the foothills of the 
Allegheny Mountains along the banks of the Allegheny River, I encourage 
you to visit Parker.

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