[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13095]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF VASA PARK

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                      HON. RODNEY P. FRELINGHUYSEN

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Vasa Park, 
located in the Township of Mount Olive, Morris County, New Jersey, as 
it celebrates its 75th anniversary.
  Vasa Park, established in 1929, was originally created to serve as a 
retirement community for Scandinavian immigrants in the Morris County 
area. However, as time passed and the community grew, it became a 
vacation spot for many of those same Scandinavian immigrants and their 
families. Today, ancestors of the original founders still come with 
their families to vacation every summer, staying in one of the many 
cabins dispersed throughout the park.
  In the summer, the park offers 31 cabins for rent, a Cultural Center 
for social events and a large swimming pool for its Scandinavian 
members. Families descending from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and 
Sweden make up the over 1,000 park membership. The park itself is one 
of 12 New Jersey parks that is within the Vasa Order of America. The 
Order is an American-Scandinavian fraternal society that was 
established as a way for Scandinavian peoples in the United States and 
Canada to meet each other and share a common heritage.
  In addition to providing a vacation spot for Scandinavian immigrants 
and their families, the park hosts an annual Scandinavian Festival 
every year. This year will mark its 27th year. The festival features 
live Scandinavian music, dancing, children's activities, and medieval 
games. It is a fun way for members to not only get to know one another, 
but also to celebrate their rich Scandinavian heritage. The surrounding 
community is also invited to participate in the activities.
  For the last 75 years, Vasa Park has upheld the tight knit 
Scandinavian presence that is so important to the citizens of Mount 
Olive. The Mount Olive community as a whole is proud to call Vasa Park 
their own.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask you and my colleagues to join me in congratulating 
Vasa Park for 75 years of upholding Scandinavian tradition in Morris 
County, New Jersey.

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