[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Page 15097]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF THE WASHINGTON PARISH FAIR

  Ms. LANDRIEU. Mr. President, located on the eastern edge of 
Louisiana, Washington Parish plays a central role in celebrating our 
State's unique culture and history. Every October, residents and 
leaders of the parish host the annual Washington Parish Fair, which 
marks its 100th anniversary this month.
  This quiet but remarkable parish is known for its agriculture, its 
scenic rivers, and its thriving workforce, which spans across a number 
of industries, including paper and timber production. Once the center 
of the dairy industry, the area boasts a relatively low unemployment 
rate, with nearly 75 percent of its workforce belonging to the 
community's private sector.
  The parish is also known for its genuine hospitality. Its residents 
volunteer tirelessly for the annual Washington Parish Fair, which is 
believed to be the largest fair of its kind in the country. The 5-day 
event, which began in 1911, now attracts families from all over the 
State. They spend the weekend enjoying the wide range of activities the 
fair has to offer--including a livestock show, a rodeo and carnival 
rides--while taking in the unique Louisiana scenery.
  This popular event is a model of the community spirit and a prime 
example of the cultural and economic advancement that can be achieved 
when neighbors work together for a common goal. Every year, Washington 
Parish leaders and residents commit themselves to the success of the 
event, and I commend them for their efforts to continue such a first-
rate Louisiana tradition.

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