[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 108 (Monday, June 29, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E631]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





      HONORING THE 200TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOWVILLE VILLAGE BRAND

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ELISE M. STEFANIK

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 29, 2026

  Ms. STEFANIK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 200th 
anniversary of the founding of Lowville Village Band.
  Originally known as the Union Band upon its formation in 1826 the 
founding members began a tradition of playing music in the local park. 
The band changed names several times it is first 100 years reflecting 
the instruments they played, the Union Band reformed as the Lowville 
Saxhorn Band in 1856. During this time the band would perform all over 
Northern New York and even into Canada. These performances were part of 
parades, festivals, and private parties as well as sometimes on 
steamboats. During the Civil War their performances dwindled as other 
duties called members away but following the war they reformed as the 
Lowville Cornet Band before a local philanthropist, Francis K. Leonard 
donated silver instruments to the band along with other generous 
donations leading them to rebrand as the Leonard Silver Cornet Band. 
Four years later they chose to rename themselves the Lowville Cornet & 
Orchestra Band.
  Over the years the band has been led by extremely talented musicians, 
including Franklin A. Thompson, who had previously played with the 
United States Marine Corps Band and Buffalo Bill Wild West Show Band; 
Luther Askin, who helped found the New York State School Music 
Association and Lowville Academy Band, and Perl Johnson, who served in 
World War I as a member of the American Expeditionary Force and led 
field music for the 310th Infantry Regiment.
  In the 1930s the band officially became the Lowville Village Band, 
the name it has held ever since. Today, the band's ensemble consists of 
approximately 50 brass, woodwind, and percussion musicians who range in 
age from 14 to 80. The band hosts a very popular summer concert series 
where they play marches and patriotic music from the past at the 
Lowville Veterans Memorial Park.
  On behalf of New York's 21st District, I recognize the Lowville 
Village Band for 200 years of bringing music to the Village of Lowville 
and communities across our region.

                          ____________________