[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 7]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 9445]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            IN CELEBRATION OF KANSAS CITY'S SESQUICENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 25, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to 
join me in celebrating Kansas City, Missouri's 150th Birthday. The 
sesquicentennial marks an era of growth and prosperity in the Midwest. 
John Calvin McCoy, the father of Kansas City, created a small trading 
town on the banks of the Missouri River. It was a link from the 
stunning East to the sprawling West. Truly in the Heart of America, 
this City was destined to become a great metropolitan area as it is 
today.
  The innovation of bridges allowed travelers and goods to move through 
Kansas City to complement the Missouri River's movement of commerce. 
Soon railroads aided this cause and Kansas City flourished. It became a 
metropolis known for its stockyards and wheat. The 1900's brought 
growth.
  The citizens of this distinguished and lovable city have seen the 
building of the Liberty Memorial, the only World War I monument 
dedicated by the five allied leaders; the development of the Country 
Club Plaza by J.C. Nichols, the first outdoor shopping venue now 
visited by travelers from all over the world for its elegance; the 
Pendergast era in which Kansas City's own political machine ruled for 
years; a Convention Center rebuilt from fire ruins in less than 90 days 
for the 1900 Democratic National Convention; and the birth of Kansas 
City Jazz which can still be heard throughout our country. We became a 
Major League sports city supported by the Kansas City Royals Baseball 
team, the Kansas City Chiefs Football team, and the home to the Negro 
Leagues Baseball Museum. Unfortunately it is impossible to cover the 
entire expansive and rich history my City has displayed.
  Kansas City is now the second largest rail hub. We are second only to 
Rome in fountains and have more miles of boulevards than Paris. Kansas 
City is first in greeting card publishing as the home to Hallmark 
Cards. We have more freeway miles per capita than any major metro area 
and are 25th in U.S. population. Kansas City is adored for its 24 
public lakes and 200 public parks. We stand 1.6 million people strong 
in the metropolitan area.
  We highlight our rich history through events and activities that 
enliven the culture of our community and celebrates its diversity and 
sense of unity. This year Kansas City was blessed with events such as 
``Arrivals and Departures--Union Station'' a Kansas City symphony 
performance to highlight the importance and the memories shared at our 
newly renovated Union Station; Benjamin Ranch Celebration Picnic 
allowing our youth to experience the wild outdoors with horse rides, 
stagecoach and hayrides; the 18th and Vine Vintage Vine afternoon at 
the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum recreated the excitement of a 
Monarchs game; and finally the Kansas City Zoological Park brings our 
community 150 new animals. The grand finale will be held at Arrowhead 
Stadium where Walter Cronkite, Kenny Rogers, Little Richard, Oleta 
Adams, and the biggest fountain and pyrotechnic special effects show 
ever seen in the Midwest will swing us into the next incredible 150 
years.
  Throughout the 150 years of Kansas City we have been known for our 
hospitality, strong work ethic, fairness, and ability to develop a 
consensus. These attributes of our community are constantly enhanced by 
our citizens' commitment to continue to grow and expand upon these 
inherent traditions.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the City of Kansas City's 
150th Birthday.

                          ____________________