[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13449]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING GRAY'S GENERAL STORE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. DAVID N. CICILLINE

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, August 2, 2012

  Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, since 1788, Gray's General Store has 
served customers in Rhode Island. For seven generations the Waite 
family has owned what is considered the oldest general store in the 
Nation. Gray's General Store closed its doors for the final time last 
Sunday.
  This store has been a cultural cornerstone for more than two 
centuries in Little Compton, a town in my district which itself was 
established in 1682.
  Since 1879, the Waite family has owned and operated Gray's General 
Store allowing generations of Rhode Islanders to have a place to share 
an ice cream and a laugh.
  Despite the tremendous loss the community will face, I extend my well 
wishes to the present owner, Jonah Waite, as he transitions into a new 
chapter of his life.
  I Honor Gray's General Store for its place in the history of Little 
Compton.

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