[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13553]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]





                CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE 250TH ANNIVERSARY

 Ms. AYOTTE. Mr. President, I rise today in honor of Concord, 
NH--a city in Merrimack County that is celebrating the 250th 
anniversary of its founding. I am proud to join the citizens across the 
Granite State in recognizing this special occasion.
  Concord, settled in 1725 by colonists from Massachusetts, was 
incorporated in 1733 as the town of Rumford, and later the parish of 
Concord where it experienced several border disputes with the 
neighboring town of Bow. The parish of Bow officially became part of 
Concord in 1765.
  Concord includes the villages of Penacook, East Concord, and West 
Concord. The city's population has grown to over 40,000 residents with 
over 6,000 acres of protected land. Concord residents have access to 
numerous hiking and biking trails, and the town's location on the 
Merrimack River significantly adds to its natural beauty.
  In 1808, Concord was established as the State capital of New 
Hampshire. The statehouse is the oldest legislative building in the 
Nation still in use by the State's house and senate. The house chamber 
is also home to the largest State legislative body in the country.
  Concord has produced many innovative businesses, including the Abbot-
Downing Company that designed and built the world-famous Concord Coach 
in 1827, revolutionizing travel throughout the world.
  Today, Concord is a civic, cultural, business, and medical hub for 
the Granite State. It is where New Hampshire's lone U.S. President, 
Franklin Pierce had an office, and it is the location of his final 
resting place. Concord is also home to the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery 
Center, named after Christa McAuliffe, a Concord educator who bravely 
volunteered to become the first teacher in space aboard the fatal 
Challenger space shuttle mission in 1986, and New Hampshire astronaut 
Alan Shepard. Today, new generations can visit the planetarium to learn 
about our universe. On Concord's thriving Main Street, residents and 
visitors can find an outstanding collection of New Hampshire small 
businesses that represent the heart of the city. Downtown Concord is 
full of history and culture--including the Museum of New Hampshire 
History, the Capital Center for the Arts, and the Red River Theater.
  The spirit of community and volunteerism is strong in Concord as 
evidenced by the hard work and dedication of all involved with the 
planning and celebration of this special sestercentennial anniversary.
  Concord, as our State's capital, has greatly contributed to the life 
and spirit of New Hampshire. I am pleased to extend my warm regards to 
the people of Concord as they celebrate the city's 250th 
anniversary.

                          ____________________