[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 7017]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        EDENTON, NORTH CAROLINA

  Mr. BURR. Mr. President, today I wish to pay homage to the beautiful 
Town of Edenton, NC. I join its citizens, its friends, and city and 
State leaders in celebrating their historic 300th anniversary. 
Originally known as the Town on Queen Anne's Creek, Edenton was renamed 
after the death of the first man appointed by the Crown as ``full'' 
Governor of North Carolina, Charles Eden, in 1722.
  The first Colonial Capital until 1743, Edenton citizens were widely 
known for their steadfast values and dedication to a free society. 
Edenton's Penelope Barker was the first woman to organize a political 
event in the colonies when she gathered women from the region to a 
petition to King George opposing taxation. The son of Edenton's James 
Iredell, Sr., was nominated by President George Washington to serve on 
the first U.S. Supreme Court, and was confirmed the very next day at 
only 38-years-old. Edentonian Hugh Williamson signed the U.S. 
Constitution and effectively argued for the inclusion of the Bill of 
Rights. Edentonians have long been a proud community committed to our 
Nation's founding principles.
  The Chowan County Courthouse in Edenton is not only North Carolina's 
oldest courthouse, but also the State's oldest government building. It 
is still in use today. The impressive building, of southern Georgian 
architecture, was built in 1767 on a plot of land first surveyed in 
1712. Today, it is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. One of 
the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Joseph Hewes, a long-
time Edenton resident, was instrumental in making the courthouse a 
reality.
  Thanks to the Town of Edenton, Chowan County, the Edenton Historical 
Commission, Chowan County Tourism Development Authority and many 
citizen leaders, the town's treasured historic sites remain healthy and 
preserved. These treasures not only serve to teach us about our 
Nation's rich heritage, but they also boost our economy and attract 
people interested in our Nation's history from around the world. These 
include the 1767 Courthouse, the Barker House, the Roanoke River 
Lighthouse, Edenton Cotton Mill, the Cupola House, and the second 
oldest church building in North Carolina, Saint Paul's Episcopal 
Church.
  Because of the community's tireless efforts to preserve its heritage 
and promote the arts and culture, I doubt anyone visiting Edenton today 
would be surprised to learn that it received the distinguished 
Forbes.com award as one of America's Prettiest Towns.
  I am proud to join the entire Edenton community in congratulating 
them on this historic occasion.

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