[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12599]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE TOWN OF SPENCER'S 200TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MAURICE D. HINCHEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 26, 2006

  Mr. HINCHEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Town of Spencer 
in Tioga County, NY, which is part of the 22nd Congressional District 
that I proudly serve. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the 
founding of Spencer and I am pleased to recognize the Town of Spencer 
and the important contributions it has made to Tioga County and to the 
State of New York.
  Located amidst the fertile hardwood forests of south central New 
York, Spencer was founded in 1806 as an agrarian settlement. The town, 
named for New York State Supreme Court Judge Ambrose Spencer, held the 
county seat from 1810-1821 and included the present-day towns of 
Caroline, Candor, Danby, Newfield, and Cayuta. Today, the Town of 
Spencer is not only still a strong agricultural center, but it is also 
becoming home to many new residents who work in neighboring 
communities, and place a premium on rural small town living.
  Shortly after Spencer was settled, it produced ``The Mother of 
Women's Suffrage.'' Born in Spencer in 1814, Esther McQuigg Morris was 
a proponent of civil rights for all people. On May 2, 1870, shortly 
after the passing of Wyoming Bill 70, Esther was elected as the Justice 
of the Peace of South Pass City, Wyoming. With her appointment, Esther 
became the first woman to hold a public office in the United States. 
Her motto of ``It's justice first, then after that, the law,'' allowed 
her position to be so highly revered that in 1967 Esther McQuigg Morris 
was given her own postage stamp.
  Throughout its history, Spencer has been vital to the economic well-
being of the county. Because of the abundance of fertile land, Spencer 
blossomed as an agricultural center that boasted successful dairy 
farms, creameries, and a milk condensory well into the 20th century. 
This booming agrarian community attracted many settlers, including the 
Finns, whose positive influence on agricultural technique and trade can 
still be seen throughout the community. In addition to its rich and 
attractive agricultural heritage, Spencer hosts several technology 
driven firms that provide critical information based services 
throughout the region.
  Spencer is also home to a thriving arts scene. Historically centered 
around the Spencer Opera House and the theatrical works of the Spencer 
Players, Spencer's art scene has become a vital part of community 
living. Today, Spencer, which is home to many talented artists and 
crafts men and women, supports a flourishing music society which 
attracts concerts from both visiting and local performers.
  When visiting Spencer, it is impossible not to notice how the hard 
work and generosity of its people has turned the lush green hills into 
a flourishing community. With this success, Spencer has become a 
quintessential example of how rural communities form essential, 
colorful threads that enrich the fabric of this great Nation. For the 
special role that they play, Spencer, and rural towns like it, deserve 
to be honored and recognized for their numerous contributions to our 
Nation. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize the Town 
of Spencer, NY, as it celebrates the 200th anniversary of its founding.

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