[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 12]
[House]
[Page 17607]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    CONGRATULATING TARBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, ON ITS 250TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
resolution (H. Res. 1475) congratulates the town of Tarboro, North 
Carolina, on the occasion of its 250th anniversary.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1475

       Whereas, in 1759, Joseph Howell deeded 150 acres of land 
     along the Tar River to establish a town;
       Whereas the first town commissioners Reverend James Moir, 
     Aquila Suggs, Lawrence Toole, Elisha Battle, and Benjamin 
     Hart laid out a town that included 121 half-acre lots 
     surrounded by 50 acres of town common;
       Whereas the North Carolina General Assembly on November 30, 
     1760, approved the charter of a town called Tarboro along the 
     banks of the Tar River;
       Whereas Tarboro is the 11th oldest colonial town in North 
     Carolina;
       Whereas Tarboro has the only town common outside of Boston 
     originally chartered with the town;
       Whereas President George Washington slept in Tarboro during 
     a visit on his southern tour in 1791;
       Whereas Tarboro was home to former United States 
     Congressman George Henry White who was elected to the 
     Congress in 1896 and 1898, and was the last African-American 
     to serve in Congress until World War II;
       Whereas Tarboro was home to Henry Lawson Wyatt, the first 
     North Carolina soldier to die in the Civil War;
       Whereas Tarboro was home to former Congressman Lawrence H. 
     (L.H.) Fountain who served North Carolina's Second 
     Congressional District from 1953 to 1983;
       Whereas Tarboro was home to General Henry ``Hugh'' Shelton 
     who served in the United States Army and served as Chairman 
     of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1997 to 2001;
       Whereas Tarboro is home to a 45-block historic district 
     which was created in 1977 by the National Park Service;
       Whereas the historic district boasts over 300 structures, 
     from the residential dwellings to historic churches to 
     original 19th century storefronts along Tarboro's Main 
     Street;
       Whereas the vibrant downtown is listed on the National 
     Register of Historic Places;
       Whereas Tarboro is known for its rich history, low crime 
     rate, and high quality of life;
       Whereas Tarboro offers extensive recreation opportunities 
     for youth, adults, and seniors;
       Whereas Tarboro is home to the Edgecombe County Veterans' 
     Military Museum, the Tar River Paddle Trail, and the North 
     Carolina Civil War Trail, and is a part of the Historic 
     Albemarle Trail;
       Whereas, in 1999, Tarboro was devastated by the flooding 
     from Hurricane Floyd;
       Whereas through hard work and unity, Tarboro was able to 
     fully recover from the event to become an even stronger 
     community; and
       Whereas Tarboro today is home to approximately 11,000 
     residents and is known for its diversity and viable 
     industrial base: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives congratulates 
     the town of Tarboro, North Carolina, on the occasion of its 
     250th anniversary.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) and the gentleman from California 
(Mr. Bilbray) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from the District of Columbia.


                             General Leave

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I now yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the House Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to present H. Res. 1475 for 
consideration. This measure congratulates the town of Tarboro, North 
Carolina, on its 250th anniversary.
  H. Res. 1475 was introduced by our colleague, the gentleman from 
North Carolina, Representative G.K. Butterfield, on June 24, 2010. The 
measure was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government 
Reform, which ordered it reported favorably by unanimous consent on 
July 15, 2010. The measure enjoys the support of over 50 Members of the 
House.
  Mr. Speaker, the North Carolina General Assembly approved the Tarboro 
town charter 250 years ago this month, November 30, 1760. It is one of 
the oldest colonial towns in the State. Its downtown is listed in the 
National Register of Historic Places, and it has the only town common 
outside of Boston to be originally chartered with the town.
  It was home to such notable figures as former United States 
Congressman George Henry White, who was elected to the Congress in 1896 
and 1898. He was the last African American to serve in Congress until 
World War II.
  Tarboro is also the home of General Hugh Shelton, who served in the 
United States Army and served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 
from 1997 to 2001.
  Mr. Speaker, let us join together in congratulating the town of 
Tarboro on reaching this historic milestone. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in supporting H. Res. 1475.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of House Resolution 1475.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from the District of Columbia (Ms. Norton) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1475.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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