[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 8]
[Senate]
[Page 10984]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF SEYMOUR, CONNECTICUT

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President. I rise today to pay tribute to the 
town of Seymour, nestled in the Lower Naugatuck Valley of Connecticut. 
Located in New Haven County with the Lower Housatonic River nearby, 
Seymour offers its residents a wide variety of recreational activities, 
history, industry, and a strong sense of community with an emphasis on 
education. Seymour was formally founded on June 24, 1850, when the 
town's council held its first meeting. I rise today to congratulate 
Seymour on its Sesquicentennial anniversary, 150 years as a town, and 
to reflect for just a few moments on the rich history of this town.
  The Naugatuck Valley increased in importance during the early 1800s 
because of its valuable natural resources and industrial growth. Due to 
different manufacturing concerns and the desire to separate and become 
their own community, the town of Seymour, then called Humphreysville, 
petitioned the state legislature to become the town of ``Richmond.'' 
Thomas H. Seymour, who was the Governor of the state of Connecticut, 
promised the people that if the town was named in his honor, the bill 
would be accepted immediately. Evidently, the good people of the town 
agreed, for shortly thereafter the town of Seymour was formally 
constituted.
  Throughout the years, companies have prospered and grown in Seymour, 
paralleled by the development and expansion of the town itself. The 
H.P. & E. Day Company began in Seymour in 1865, and has developed into 
the Waterman Pen Company of France, producers of some of the world's 
finest fountain pens. Telegraph cables that could be placed underwater 
were developed by Austin Goodyear Day in Seymour in the mid-nineteenth 
century, and continue to be produced by the Kerite Company, presently 
located on Day Street. With the vital shipping lanes of the Housatonic 
River, as well as the region's railroads and factories, Seymour 
flourished throughout the late nineteenth century, and within the town 
a broad range of products--from copper to paper to bottled spring 
water--was produced. Outside of the industrial diversity of Seymour, 
one is immediately aware of the natural beauty of the area. Not only is 
the Housatonic River one of New England's greatest assets, but it also 
provides recreational activities such as canoeing and fishing for local 
residents.
  I have had the pleasure of visiting the town of Seymour on many 
occasions, and am always impressed with the natural beauty and 
spectacular resourcefulness of the residents. One thing that has 
lingered in my mind from past visits is the strong sense of community, 
and the emphasis on the importance of education. Seymour offers 
residents an abundance of entertainment and activities through the 
Seymour Recreation Commission, a strong police force led by Police 
Chief Michael E. Metzler, the Seymour Senior Center, cultural and 
performing arts events through the Seymour Culture and Arts Commission, 
and celebrations of important national holidays such as Memorial Day 
through local events and parades. In the realm of education, 
Superintendent Eugene A. Coppola has continued to uphold the fine 
reputation of local schools, which have seen recent increases in test 
scores, state-of-the-art expansion of Bungay Elementary School, the 
strengthening of the core curriculum, and a majority of students 
participating in extracurricular activities. One of the most important 
facets of the school system in Seymour is the DARE program, instilling 
in students the importance of remaining drug-free.
  Seymour in the year 2000 is in many respects a great American town. 
It is a place where businesses can prosper, where families can thrive, 
and where a sense of community permeates everyday life. In recognizing 
this important anniversary in the life of the town, we pay homage to 
all those who have in the past contributed to making Seymour the 
outstanding place it is today. And we congratulate those current 
residents who pause on this occasion not only to remember the past, but 
who dedicate themselves to the future success and vitality of this 
remarkable town they call home.

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