[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13177]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TOWN OF LEESBURG

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                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 19, 2008

  Mr. WOLF. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 250th 
anniversary of the establishment of the historic Town of Leesburg in 
the 10th Congressional District of Virginia.
  Leesburg was established in September 1758 by an act of the Virginia 
House of Burgesses who appointed Nicolas Minor to design the initial 
layout of the town. The Town of Leesburg quickly grew from a quiet town 
of sleepy streets to a bustling epicenter in the early 18th century. 
Settlers flocked to the town for its strong sense of community and 
numerous market-to-town opportunities. The agriculture and 
transportation industries grew as Leesburg became the center of 
commerce in Loudoun County and other regions of northern Virginia.
  Leesburg was the temporary capital of the United States during the 
War of 1812 and also served as a battleground during the American Civil 
War in the Battle of Balls Bluff. Leesburg has been home to many 
prominent Americans including President James Monroe, noted African-
American attorney Charles Houston, General George C. Marshall and 
entertainer Arthur Godfrey.
  In 1970, Leesburg received a place in the National Register of 
Historic Places and was cited as one of the best and most picturesque 
downtowns in Virginia. Today, Leesburg maintains its status as the 
center of the crossroads of northern Virginia and is the largest town 
in northern Virginia. I encourage my colleagues to join me in 
celebrating this historic event by driving 40 miles northwest from the 
Capitol to visit historic Leesburg and partake in some of the town's 
year-long festivities in honor of the anniversary. The town is holding 
a flag-design contest in honor of this historic event, to design an 
official flag for the town. On September 14, 2008, the town will 
celebrate her 250th birthday and I invite all to attend to commemorate 
history and enjoy the distinctly Americana spirit of the day's 
activities.
  I have been proud to serve the people of Leesburg since the start of 
my terms in the House and I share in the town's celebration of this 
significant anniversary.

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