CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1461 advocated by Christianity since the Holy western progress and eastern values. A haven VERMILLION COUNTY’S 175TH Family’s journey in ancient Egypt, and the between a prosperous North and a South full BIRTHDAY strong message of sharing carried forward by of promise. We seek to modernize by embrac- Islam fourteen centuries ago, have both en- ing change and not defying it, centered dowed our society with a deep sense of civil around human nature selfless and self-inter- HON. STEPHEN E. BUYER responsibility. Today, as a result of falling ested, cooperative and competitive all at OF INDIANA boundaries all over the world, a global agen- once. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES da for social development is being put for- We are a country that has found its bal- ward. Our voluntary sector must be involved ance. We will share it in friendship with all. Wednesday, June 30, 1999 in the setting of such agenda and in playing In this place of learning, in this place of Mr. BUYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the an active part in its implementation. excellence, you foster sharing, under- 175th birthday of Vermillion County, Indiana. Our success in redirecting our economy standing, and tolerance. You bring forth the and reviving our civil institutions is real. It future like we do in reform. And in the end Nearly two centuries of proud history and tra- is tangible and we build on it. But what is we must join hands, for the many lives we dition encompass an area only seven miles the value of success if it is not based on change, will one day, shape the century to wide and 37 miles long. The county's unusual human dignity? Indeed, can there be any suc- come in the image of our dreams. shape was formed in order to better govern cess if the human being is neglected? Thank you very much. and patrol the area when it was still a frontier The only long term guarantee of sustain- f on the Wabash River. able development, the main source of value Vermillion County gained its name from a and competitiveness, is investment in human SWOYERSVILLE ANNIVERSARY French translation of a Miami Indian word capital. Egypt’s history and ancient civiliza- tion taught us this reality. For thousands of meaning ``red earth,'' or clay. For years, clay years, investment in human capital was the HON. PAUL E. KANJORSKI provided a major business for this county. cornerstone of every success. It allowed pyr- OF PENNSYLVANIA Now businesses such as Eli Lilly, Inland Con- amids to be built, rivers to be tamed, innova- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES tainer, Public Service Indiana, Peabody Coal, tions to be discovered, and art to flourish. and the Newport Army Ammunition Depot are Our investment in human capital has been Wednesday, June 30, 1999 the major employers that exist in this ''red in all fields. It covers education, health and Mr. KANJORSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today earth'' county. basic services. It aims at preserving the envi- to bring to the attention of my colleagues the Even though Vermillion County is small in ronment, encouraging creative thinking and maintaining family values. It is conscious Centennial Anniversary of Swoyersville Bor- size, many notable figures have called it and respectful of human rights in the most ough in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Bor- home. Henry Washburn, a Newport lawyer, comprehensive sense. Human rights which ough will celebrate at a banquet on July 3. I was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the 18th include every individual’s right to freedom am pleased and proud to have been asked to Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the of speech, of expression and intellectual ful- participate in this event. Civil War. Washburn and his regiment served fillment, the right to a happy childhood, to Originally part of Kingston Township, heroically in several battles such as Pea a productive life and a peaceful retirement, Swoyersville first sought incorporation as a Ridge, Ulysses S. Grant's Vicksburg cam- to a decent environment, basic services, borough in 1888, but the action was chal- paign, and Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley shelter, and food. Moreover, it aims at build- ing cultural bridges with people throughout lenged in court. Eleven years later, the Supe- campaign. After the Civil War, Washburn was the world. rior Court of Pennsylvania sustained the incor- elected to the U.S. House of Representatives But beyond this, the key to our basic de- poration and the Borough was officially born. where he contributed to the creation of Yellow- velopment is the status and role of women in Named for coal baron John Henry Swoyer, stone National Park. our society. For this we have used every mining was the major industry in the Borough Born on a farm near Dana was yet another means to improve women’s share in edu- at the time. Swoyersville was broken up into historic figure, the famous World War II cor- cation, in health services, in job opportuni- sections, such as Shomemaker's Patch and respondent Ernie Pyle. Pyle accompanied ties, and in leading a fulfilling life as mem- bers of a family, a community and a country. Maltby, with several smaller sub-divisions with- American serivcemen in both the European But the true essence of Egypt’s endurance in the sections. The patches were groups of and Pacific theaters. Pyle's work portrayed the and prosperity over the centuries, is the company homes owned by the coal compa- grim aspects of war and also the lighter mo- sense of belonging to one community. One nies. Today, coal mining is just a part of ments between the chaos. His writing was, nation founded on equal worth and equal Swoyersville's history, as are the garment and and still is, seen as some of the best jour- rights for every individual. Throughout the clothing factories which replaced that industry. nalism of the twentieth century. centuries, Egypt sheltered people from every In 1972, when Tropical Storm Agnes caused Besides historical figures, Vermillion County origin, background, creed and race. Their the Susquehanna River to overflow her banks, has also been home to entertainment person- traditions and cultures, their habits and cus- toms have melted to form one people. This is eighty percent of the town was inundated. Like alities as well. The actor Ken Kercheval was a country where all are equal in law, in prac- all residents of the Wyoming Valley, the born in Wolcottville. One of his most notable tice and in spirit, men and women, peasants townspeople pulled together during the sum- acting jobs was on the hit television series and urban dwellers, rich and poor, regardless mer of 1972, shoveled mud out of their ``Dallas.'' Kercheval has even had a guest ap- of their creed or beliefs. homes, and began to rebuild. Today, pearance on ``ER.'' Another Vermillion native Since the dawn of time, Egypt’s position in Swoyersville flourishes as a beautiful residen- is Jill Marie Landis. Landis is a nationally best- the world, its natural resources and cultural tial area. selling author. She has written 13 award win- diversity have allowed her to be at the cross- Mr. Speaker, I am proud to join with the ning books. Landis claims that her childhood roads of civilization. The same is true today. We have built a country of the twenty-first community in recognizing this milestone anni- in Clinton, Indiana, helped to inspire her sto- century that has bridged millennia of his- versary of the Borough Charter. I send my sin- ries. tory with a boundless future, the traditions cere best wishes to the people of Swoyersville I congratulate all of the residents of of old and the energy of youth. We have as they gather for their Centennial Celebra- Vermillion County who are taking part in the blended economic reform and social balance, tion. 175th birthday celebrations.