[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2043]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING THE TOWN OF HAVERSTRAW

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 23, 2016

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Town of 
Haverstraw in Rockland County, New York, as it begins the celebration 
of its 400th anniversary year. I am honored to represent in the 
Congress this community with its richly diverse population, historic 
brick homes, beautiful views of the Hudson River, and a growing 
business district.
  Haverstraw is a Dutch name which means ``Oat Straw,'' referring to 
the straw of the river meadows that once filled Haverstraw Bay. 
Balthazar de Harte, a New York merchant, purchased the tract of land 
along the river that would become Haverstraw in 1666 from the Lenni 
Lenape confederation of the Algonquin Indians. The precinct of 
Haverstraw was created in 1719 when it separated from Orangetown, and 
officially became a town in 1788. Today, the Town includes the Village 
of Haverstraw, the Village of West Haverstraw, and part of the Village 
of Pomona.
  In 1780, Haverstraw was the scene of a major plot, which if it had 
succeeded, could have changed the course of the Revolutionary War. 
American General Benedict Arnold had convinced George Washington to 
give him command of the fort at West Point, but secretly was involved 
in treasonable negotiations with English Emissary Major John Andre to 
sell the plans to West Point to the British. Arnold and Andre met 
during the night on the beach of Haverstraw, but the negotiations were 
not completed by dawn. Arnold and Andre fled, and Andre was captured in 
Tarrytown on his way back to British lines.
  Haverstraw is located in the widest point of the Hudson River, which 
was the main artery of trade between New York City and Albany, as well 
as the dividing line between New England and other colonies. In the 
18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, Haverstraw was home to several 
key industries. It became the greatest center of brick production in 
the nation, one year shipping out more than 300 million bricks from 
Haverstraw Bay for the New York City area. The Rockland Print Works 
incorporated in 1853 to print and dye woolen, cotton and linen goods, 
and the current owner, Garnerville Holding Company, now rents space to 
businesses, artists and craftsmen. These buildings are some of the few 
examples of the 19th century factory architecture still in use in the 
United States.
  Haverstraw has a diverse history, rich with culture. Central 
Presbyterian Church was founded in 1846 and moved to its present 
location with its beautiful Tiffany windows in 1909. The Congregation 
of the Sons of Jacob, established in 1877, is the oldest Jewish 
congregation in Rockland County. In 1905 the New York State Hospital 
for the Care of Crippled and Deformed Children purchased 48 acres of 
land in West Haverstraw, known as the Lilburn Estate, opening a 
facility that became world famous for its rehabilitation and research 
programs. In 1974, the hospital was renamed the Helen Hayes Hospital to 
recognize the great contributions of the famous actress to the 
institution. The Haverstraw King's Daughters Public Library was 
chartered in 1895 and opened its present building on Main Street in 
1903.
  Today, Haverstraw is a shining example of a diverse community working 
together to better the Town as a whole. Residents hail from Latin 
America, Russia, India, and all over the world, giving Haverstraw a 
global culture all its own.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the Town of 
Haverstraw on this special anniversary as its residents celebrate its 
distinguished past and look ahead to a strong future.

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