HONORING THE TOWN OF YARMOUTH'S 250TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

On 2026-06-18, Representative William R. Keating (D-MA-9) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING THE TOWN OF YARMOUTH'S 250TH INDEPENDENCE DAY" in the House.

HONORING THE TOWN OF YARMOUTH'S 250TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 103 (Thursday, June 18, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E585] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE TOWN OF YARMOUTH'S 250TH INDEPENDENCE DAY ______ HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING of massachusetts in the house of representatives Thursday, June 18, 2026 Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the Town of Yarmouth as it celebrates its 250th Independence Day. Throughout the Revolutionary War, patriots from Yarmouth played an important role in our country's fight for independence. In 1775, as tensions rose between the colonies and the British government, Yarmouth's militia rode to assist in the Battles of Lexington and Concord before receiving word of a British retreat, marking the start of the American Revolution. In the spring of 1776, patriots from Yarmouth served under George Washington at Dorchester Heights, fortifying the city and forcing British troops to evacuate Boston. Then on June 20, 1776, weeks before the United States of America formally declared independence from Britain on July 4, 1776, Yarmouth residents came together and took the brave step to declare their independence. Ahead of the upcoming Semiquincentennial historians from the Towns of Yarmouth and Dennis led extensive research into Yarmouth's role in the Revolutionary War. Their research found that 447 men from Yarmouth fought for our country's independence, 53 of whom are buried in the Yarmouth Ancient Cemetery. To honor these patriots' bravery and dedication to our country, the town commissioned a monument to be built by the renowned Robert Shure and for official Sons of the American Revolution granite markers to be placed at each of the 53 graves. On June 20, 2026, the Town of Yarmouth and nearby communities will gather for the unveiling and dedication of the Revolutionary War Monument in Thatcher Park, followed by a wreath-laying and grave marker dedication ceremony at the Yarmouth Ancient Cemetery. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to celebrate the Town of Yarmouth's 250th Anniversary of Independence, and I ask that my colleagues join me in recognizing the bravery of Yarmouth's patriots and their dedication to freedom, democracy, and our republic during the Revolutionary War. ____________________