[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 13]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 18366]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             IN RECOGNITION OF FLORIDA LIGHTHOUSE DAY 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. E. CLAY SHAW, JR.

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 14, 2006

  Mr. SHAW. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Florida Lighthouse 
Day 2006, which will be celebrated on September 16, 2006, at Hillsboro 
Inlet Lighthouse which is located in my district.
  This lighthouse was first proposed for Hillsboro Inlet in 1851, 
although funding did not become available until the early 1900's. The 
lantern room and cupola were displayed at the 1904 St. Louis Exposition 
prior to the final construction which lead to the lighthouse being 
completed and lit in 1907. The light from the Fresnel lens could be 
seen for 25 miles. This was the last onshore lighthouse built in 
Florida and it remains in service today.
  In 1992, the rotation mechanism failed in the lantern and the US. 
Coast Guard planned to retire the original Fresnel lens. This action 
would have destroyed the historical integrity of the lighthouse. I was 
pleased to work with the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society, 
local U.S. Coast Guard personnel and the Coast Guard Auxiliary to 
facilitate the agreement to restore the lens. On August 18, 2000, I was 
honored to speak at the re-lighting ceremony hosted by the Hillsboro 
Lighthouse Preservation Society.
  In 2003, the Hillsboro Lighthouse was chosen to represent Florida 
lighthouses by the U.S. Postal Service on their lighthouse stamp 
series.
  Mr. Speaker, I also want to give special recognition today to the 
members of the Hillsboro Lighthouse Preservation Society. Established 
in 1997, this organization is dedicated ``to promote the history of the 
Hillsboro Lighthouse Station and the Hillsboro Inlet area through 
preservation of structures and artifacts, education and public access 
tours.''
  I look forward to joining my friends this Saturday as we celebrate 
Florida Lighthouse Day 2006.

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