[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 3881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE BICENTENNIAL OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIRTH

  (Mr. GUTHRIE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GUTHRIE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
bicentennial of President Lincoln's birth. Today, as we celebrate the 
200th birthday of one of our greatest Presidents, I take great pride in 
representing the district where President Abraham Lincoln was born. 
From a one-room log cabin in Hodgenville, Kentucky, Abraham Lincoln 
rose to the highest office in our land, where he worked diligently to 
heal our Nation from deep wounds.
  As the place of his most formative years, Kentucky played a primary 
role in forging the family and political life of President Abraham 
Lincoln. It was in the Bluegrass State that he began the path to the 
highest office in our Nation. It was in the Bluegrass State that the 
foundation for President Lincoln's ideals and beliefs were laid. It was 
from the Bluegrass State that President Lincoln met his closest friends 
and mentors.
  Often remembered for his physical height, measuring over 6 feet, 4 
inches tall, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday also reminds us of his 
height of character--a character that was formed on the banks of Knob 
Creek, Kentucky. A man of faith and wisdom who loved his country, 
President Lincoln's birth is clearly worthy of commemoration.
  I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to thank Tommy Turner, 
the County Judge/Executive of LaRue County, Dan Kelly, my former 
colleague in the State Senate, and the rest of the Kentucky Abraham 
Lincoln Bicentennial Commission for their tireless work since 2004 to 
organize and coordinate the many events celebrating President Lincoln's 
birth. Judge Turner and Senator Kelly's roles to ensure that Kentucky 
played an essential part in the national celebration of Abraham 
Lincoln's 200th birthday deserve recognition.
  I trust that my colleagues will join me in commemorating this 
historic day for Kentucky's Second Congressional District, the entire 
Commonwealth, and our nation.

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