[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 15]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 20555]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           CITY OF NEWCASTLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. REICHERT

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 31, 2009

  Mr. REICHERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the city of 
Newcastle, Washington, which was recently ranked seventeenth by Money 
Magazine on their list of ``America's Best Small Towns.'' I'm proud to 
represent Newcastle, a city that affords residents a unique opportunity 
to live near the ``hustle and bustle'' of everyday life while 
retreating into a rural small town setting.
  It is fitting that Money Magazine released its rankings the same week 
that Newcastle held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on a multi-year, multi-
phase public works project that shows the city's true colors: 
leadership, patience and encouragement. Although I couldn't be at the 
celebration personally, I once again congratulate them on the expansion 
of the Coal Creek Parkway, to help alleviate the flow of traffic for 
its businesses and citizens.
  Newcastle has grown by leaps and bounds, developing and offering new 
attractions and conveniences for citizens and businesses alike. 
Officially incorporated in 1994, Newcastle's population at the time was 
7,000. 15 years later, Newcastle's population has grown to about 10,000 
and the city's amenities continue to grow as well. A new YMCA will open 
in September, complete with swimming pools, community rooms, and gyms. 
A new transit center currently under construction will provide new bus 
shelters and improve the city's main intersection, benefiting 
commuters, pedestrians and bicyclists.
  In true Pacific Northwest tradition, Newcastle also boasts a vast 
array of accessible natural resources and outdoor activities. Lake 
Boren Park, the city's best known location in its parks and trails 
system, offers walking trails, tennis and basketball courts, playground 
equipment for children and is home to special events: the Fourth of 
July fireworks celebration and Newcastle's summer series of ``Concerts 
in the Park.'' Of course, I must mention Newcastle's wonderful golf 
club; perhaps the city's most marketable asset as well as a terrific 
place for civic engagement and community fundraising. The course is 
truly beautiful and attracts attendees from all over the Pacific 
Northwest.
  Newcastle is a beautiful city filled with a great mix of small town 
charm, big city access and natural, fantastic neighborhoods and open 
spaces, and is very well-deserving of this award to of one of America's 
best small towns in the country. I look forward to continuing to 
support the goals and ideals of Newcastle residents and its elected 
leaders.

                          ____________________