[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 8]
[House]
[Page 11033]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




HONORING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAMPTON COUNTY WATERMELON FESTIVAL

  (Mr. WILSON of South Carolina asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, tomorrow marks the 6th 
anniversary of the Hampton County Watermelon Festival Parade. This 
parade will begin at 10 a.m. in Varnville, and I am honored to be 
participating once again in this annual event.
  The theme for this year's festival is ``Patriotism, the Spirit of 
America.'' Last year, according to the South Carolina State Troopers, 
approximately 50,000 spectators attended the festival.
  Mr. Speaker, this annual watermelon festival parade honors the 
dedication and sacrifices made by our farmers throughout South 
Carolina, who work so hard to feed so many Americans. Our farmers 
support rural economies and continue a tradition that has existed for 
centuries in America.
  I would like to commend the efforts of this year's festival chairman, 
Hugh Gray and vice-chairman, Susan Hatcher, along with parade chairmen 
Rodger Roberts and Otis Harrison; Mrs. Mary Ellen Bowers, the Estill 
congressional district office director; as well as the efforts of the 
South Carolina Farm Bureau and Ag First Farm Credit Bank in helping to 
feed America and make our country strong.

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