[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 8137-8138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE TOWN OF GATES, NEW 
                                  YORK

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 5, 2013

  Ms. SLAUGHTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
bicentennial celebration for the Western New York town of Gates, New 
York, which is appropriately known as ``a community for all people.''
  Incorporated on April 1, 1813, the Town of Gates, New York was named 
in honor of American Revolutionary General Horatio Gates. The Town was 
one of the very first in Monroe County, New York, when in the year 1821 
the New York State Legislature approved creating a new county named 
after the 5th President of the United States.
  Today the Town of Gates, New York is comprised of over 28,400 
residents and remains the geographic center of Monroe County. It is 
also the proud home and nationwide headquarters of Wegmans' Food 
Markets. As well, the Town hosts the Greater Rochester International 
Airport, Rochester Tech Park and other essential businesses which 
positively impact the economic vitality of Monroe County, the Greater 
Rochester area and the State of New York.
  A most notable former resident of the Town of Gates is the revered 
leader of the American Women's Suffragist movement, the incomparable 
Miss Susan B. Anthony. History records that in the year 1845, she and 
her family first resided in the Town of Gates upon their arrival in the 
Rochester area and that their Gates farmhouse actually became a meeting 
place for anti-slavery activists, including Frederick Douglass.
  Among notable living Americans who were born, raised and educated in 
Gates, New York is famed rock vocalist and songwriter, Lou Gramm, who 
is recognized around the world for his monumental contributions to the 
American and global music industries.
  Today it is my esteemed honor and great privilege to recognize in 
front of this august body, the Town of Gates, New York and its 
government and residents, as we joyfully commemorate the 200th 
anniversary of its establishment.
  It is from small towns like Gates where the American Dream was 
defined. Whether it is a parade through the town square on Memorial 
Day, the crack of the bat at local ball fields, or the crackle and boom 
of fireworks on the Fourth of July, towns like Gates imbue our nation 
with the richness of American life that we hold dear.

[[Page 8138]]

  So I rise today to commemorate all that Gates, New York has 
contributed to American life, to congratulate the people of Gates on 
achieving such a milestone, and to wish this special New York town the 
fortune and providence to celebrate 200 years more.

                          ____________________