Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-09

CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH

DefenseTradeLaborInfrastructure

Context

On 2026-06-09, Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH" in the House.

Full Text

CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E547] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH ______ HON. LLOYD SMUCKER of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the 300th anniversary of Columbia Borough in Pennsylvania. Columbia, located in western Lancaster County along the Susquehanna River, was founded in 1726 by Quaker settler and entrepreneur John Wright near a Shawnee village. Originally known as Wright's Ferry, the community was formally laid out by John Wright's son, Samuel Wright, who renamed it Columbia in 1788. As a nod to Christopher Columbus, Samuel hoped to persuade Congress to make it the capital of the United States. That ambition fell short by a formal 10-9 vote, only broken by the vice president, in 1790. Renowned at the time for its railroads and bridges, Columbia became an important transportation hub in the decades that followed and served as a beacon of light along the Underground Railroad. In the summer of 1863, as Confederate forces invaded Pennsylvania in an attempt to force Union capitulation, the residents of Columbia burned their mile-long bridge across the Susquehanna River and halted the advancing Confederate troops. This courageous act helped protect communities east of the river and remains one of the borough's most significant contributions during the Civil War. By the late nineteenth century, Columbia had emerged as major industrial center, manufacturing products ranging from silk to machinery. While its economy has shifted away from manufacturing, the borough is now known for its museums, antique shops, and recreational opportunities along the Susquehanna River. Columbia, a small borough of 10,000 people, has a rich history intertwined with that of Lancaster County and our Nation as a whole. It is an honor to represent Columbia Borough and its residents, and I wish them heartfelt congratulations for 300 years of incredible contributions to our community and our country. I look forward to witnessing the next chapter in the proud history of this mighty river town. ____________________

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CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E547] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF COLUMBIA BOROUGH ______ HON. LLOYD SMUCKER of pennsylvania in the house of representatives Tuesday, June 9, 2026 Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and celebrate the 300th anniversary of Columbia Borough in Pennsylvania. Columbia, located in western Lancaster County along the Susquehanna River, was founded in 1726 by Quaker settler and entrepreneur John Wright near a Shawnee village. Originally known as Wright's Ferry, the community was formally laid out by John Wright's son, Samuel Wright, who renamed it Columbia in 1788. As a nod to Christopher Columbus, Samuel hoped to persuade Congress to make it the capital of the United States. That ambition fell short by a formal 10-9 vote, only broken by the vice president, in 1790. Renowned at the time for its railroads and bridges, Columbia became an important transportation hub in the decades that followed and served as a beacon of light along the Underground Railroad. In the summer of 1863, as Confederate forces invaded Pennsylvania in an attempt to force Union capitulation, the residents of Columbia burned their mile-long bridge across the Susquehanna River and halted the advancing Confederate troops. This courageous act helped protect communities east of the river and remains one of the borough's most significant contributions during the Civil War. By the late nineteenth century, Columbia had emerged as major industrial center, manufacturing products ranging from silk to machinery. While its economy has shifted away from manufacturing, the borough is now known for its museums, antique shops, and recreational opportunities along the Susquehanna River. Columbia, a small borough of 10,000 people, has a rich history intertwined with that of Lancaster County and our Nation as a whole. It is an honor to represent Columbia Borough and its residents, and I wish them heartfelt congratulations for 300 years of incredible contributions to our community and our country. I look forward to witnessing the next chapter in the proud history of this mighty river town. ____________________