[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5316]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



      HONORING THE TOWNSHIP OF LOWER MERION IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY, 
                              PENNSYLVANIA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOSEPH M. HOEFFEL

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 11, 2000

  Mr. HOEFFEL. Today I congratulate the township of Lower Merion in 
Montgomery County, Pennsylvania on its 100th anniversary. On March 5, 
1900 Lower Merion formed what has become a model township government in 
Montgomery County.
  Lower Merion's roots extend to 1682 when Welsh Quakers were granted a 
tract of land by William Penn just outside Philadelphia. In 1713, Lower 
Merion established an independent Township with about 52 landholders 
and tenants. The 1850s brought rapid change to Lower Merion with the 
advent of the railroad and marked the birth of the area known today as 
the ``Main Line.'' Philadelphians soon began settling in the township 
and commuting to Philadelphia. In 1900, the Township was incorporated 
as a Township of the First Class.
  The citizens of the township of Lower Merion have many achievements 
of which to be proud. They have a deep sense of civic pride and 
involvement. In fact, the Township maintains a ``Community Resources 
Leadership Bank'' of citizens interested in participating in Township 
Boards or Commissions. This innovation and vision distinguishes Lower 
Merion and it remains one of the most progressive townships in the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  Township officials in Lower Merion are deeply committed to the 
environment. Through open space conservation and environmental 
protection, the Lower Merion Township continually works to improve the 
quality of life for its residents. Lower Merion officials have 
demonstrated a strong commitment to their schools and community, and 
the township has one of the highest ranking school systems in 
Pennsylvania.
  I am proud to represent such an extraordinary municipality. This 
anniversary should serve as a tribute to hard work and dedication for 
all who have made the Lower Merion Township the place it is.

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