[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 5916]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         BAY COUNTY CENTENNIAL

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. STEVE SOUTHERLAND II

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 2013

  Mr. SOUTHERLAND. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the place that I 
am proud to call home: Bay County, Florida.
  One hundred years ago today, Bay County was established by act of the 
Florida legislature, igniting a century of growth and opportunity for a 
close-knit community that still cherishes its rich history and 
tradition.
  Bay County is located in the heart of northwest Florida, overlooking 
41 miles of sugar-white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico's emerald 
green waters. With an additional 270 square miles occupied by pristine 
lakes, springs, streams and the magnificent St. Andrew's Bay, Bay 
County has become a national destination for tourists, fishermen, 
boaters, and water sports enthusiasts.
  While Bay County's beaches and diverse inland areas attract over 
eight million visitors each year, it is the people who live and work 
there that give us our unique spirit. A small community of little more 
than 11,000 in 1920, Bay County now embodies the drive of a diverse and 
growing population totaling more than 170,000 people.
  Bay County's workforce is among the best educated and most highly 
prepared in Northwest Florida, with institutions of higher learning 
that rival any in the region. Its economic engine is fueled not by 
tourism alone, but also by thriving small businesses, nationally 
recognized companies, major manufacturers and one of the newer airports 
in America. And, as the home of Tyndall Air Force Base, Naval Support 
Activity Panama City, and more than 22,000 veterans, Bay County enjoys 
a rich military history.
  On this date, April 24, 2013, the day of Bay County's centennial, I 
am proud to join with friends, neighbors, and local and county 
officials from Panama City, Panama City Beach, Lynn Haven, Springfield, 
Parker, Callaway, Mexico Beach, and the unincorporated areas of our 
county to celebrate our proud past and bright future.

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