[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12153]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              300TH ANNIVERSARY OF RIDGEFIELD, CONNECTICUT

 Mr. DODD. Madam President, today I recognize a significant 
milestone for one of the towns in my home State of Connecticut. This 
year, the town of Ridgefield is celebrating the 300th anniversary of 
its founding.
  Ridgefield's heritage dates back to the founding of this country and 
the American Revolution. A small militia force led by Generals David 
Wooster and Benedict Arnold faced off here against a larger British 
force at the Battle of Ridgefield on April 27, 1777. Whether it's the 
graves of the soldiers on both sides of the conflict who were killed 
and are now buried together in a cemetery on Main Street, or the cannon 
ball that remains lodged into the side of the Keeler Tavern, landmarks 
of this battle can still be found throughout Ridgefield.
  This beautiful colonial town of approximately 24,000 people has 
historically been known as a farming community. Today it is regularly 
recognized not only for the high quality of its schools and tranquility 
but for its world class restaurants and inns. Considered right after 
World War II as a potential location for the United Nations secretariat 
building, Ridgefield has managed to retain its small town, New England 
charm to this day.
  The residents of Ridgefield are rightfully proud of the town's rich 
cultural and agricultural heritage and have organized a number of 
activities to celebrate this momentous occasion. I ask my colleagues to 
join with me in congratulating my many friends among the good people of 
Ridgefield as they gather this year to celebrate their town's three 
centuries of history.

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