[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1616]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING THE SESQUICENTENNIAL OF CLAY COUNTY IN NORTH CAROLINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HEATH SHULER

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, February 11, 2011

  Mr. SHULER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the sesquicentennial 
of Clay County in North Carolina. Clay, the smallest county in North 
Carolina with an area of only 221 square miles, has developed a 
flourishing community and embodies all that is Appalachia.
  In 1860, George Hayes ran for a seat in the North Carolina House of 
Commons on a platform of creating a new county and county seat in the 
area of southern Cherokee County. In February of 1861, after his 
successful election, Representative Hayes introduced a bill to 
establish Clay County, was named in honor of Henry Clay, U.S. Secretary 
of State and Senator from Kentucky. Rep. Hayes later received 
recognition for helping form the new County when the County seat, 
Hayesville, was named in his honor.
  Now, Clay is a thriving community of 10,000 residents. Clay County's 
education system received national recognition through the prestigious 
Communities in Schools Organization Accreditation. This award shows the 
commitment the entire County has to educating the youth in the 
community and preparing them for successful and productive futures.
  Clay County is home to the beautiful Nantahala National Forest which 
is being developed as a forest, game, and trout preserve. The county 
also boasts one of the best trout streams in Western North Carolina at 
the Fires Creek Wilde Life Management. From the spectacular views of 
sapphire-blue waters in Chatuge Lake to the picturesque beauty of 
Nantahala National Forest, Clay County encompasses some of the best of 
Western North Carolina's natural treasures.
  On February 21, 2011, Clay County will hold a very special public 
gathering in celebration of the 150th anniversary of its formation by 
the North Carolina Assembly. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in recognizing Clay's sesquicentennial and its contributions to the 
United States and the great state of North Carolina.

                          ____________________