[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 707]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                 BOYERTOWN MUSEUM OF HISTORIC VEHICLES

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                         HON. RYAN A. COSTELLO

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2015

  Mr. COSTELLO of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate the Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles as it celebrates 
50 years of educating countless visitors about the important role Berks 
County and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania played in the development 
of America's automobile industry.
  Before Detroit became the automobile capital of the world, Berks 
County was at the forefront of America's transportation revolution. 
Horse-drawn carriages yielded to electric and gasoline-powered vehicles 
test driven on the steep slopes and hairpin curves leading to the 
summit of Mt. Penn in Reading and other roads in the region.
  Thanks to the outstanding dedication and hard work of its staff and 
volunteers, as well as the generosity of its members and supporters, 
the Museum chronicles the ground-breaking contributions of automobile 
manufacturing pioneers such as Charles Duryea, who along with his 
brother, Frank, is credited with designing and producing the country's 
first hill-climbing, gasoline-powered vehicle and the first 
commercially-produced automobile in 1900.
  Founded by Paul R. Hafer and his wife, Ermine, in 1965, the Museum is 
home to fascinating exhibits and dozens of automobiles, trucks, and 
motorcycles that were manufactured in Pennsylvania. The community will 
help the Museum kick off a year-long celebration of the 50th 
anniversary on Saturday, January 17th during a Golden Gala.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the 
Boyertown Museum of Historic Vehicles as it celebrates this memorable 
milestone and continues telling the uniquely American story of how hard 
work, ingenuity and craftsmanship helped Berks County and the 
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania revolutionize how all of us travel.

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