RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESS OF THE AMERICA250 NATIONAL BIRTHDAY CAKE

On 2026-09-28, Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESS OF THE AMERICA250 NATIONAL BIRTHDAY CAKE" in the House.

RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESS OF THE AMERICA250 NATIONAL BIRTHDAY CAKE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 153 (Monday, September 28, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 153 (Monday, September 28, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E991-E992] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESS OF THE AMERICA250 NATIONAL BIRTHDAY CAKE ______ HON. BONNIE WATSON COLEMAN of new jersey in the house of representatives Monday, September 28, 2026 Mrs. WATSON COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize and congratulate Cake Artist Grace ``Grey'' Pak and her team for their success in creating the America250 National Birthday Cake this past July. Inspired by the longstanding tradition of marking milestone birthdays with cake, in January 2026, Grace ``Grey'' Pak, founder of the fine-art cake studio Duchess of Cameron, asked the congressional commission planning the Nation's 250th celebrations whether anyone was planning to make a birthday cake for the milestone. When it was clear a cake was not being prepared, she took on the responsibility to lead a very complex yet rewarding project: to bake a cake for this country's 250th birthday. She envisioned the tribute as a unifying symbol of the Nation's history and future potential. Created over several months with the support of volunteer culinary experts, artisans and partners and contributions from bipartisan, bicameral members of Congress from every state and United States territory, and the District of Columbia, the installation combined American craftsmanship, local customs, and stories from communities across the country, and comprehensive historical research with and inspiration from the Smithsonian Institution, Colonial Williamsburg, and George Washington's Gristmill into a single work of edible art. I was fortunate to be one of those members of Congress and help prepare New Jersey's element of the cake. The beautiful cake was 10.5 feet long, 4 feet wide, and nearly 7 feet tall. All 50 states, 5 territories, and the District of Columbia are represented in what can be described as a ``sweet gift'' to this Nation and a symbol of how all of us can defy partisanship to come together to achieve a remarkable goal. It was unveiled at a ceremony at the Library of Congress on July 4, 2026, and later displayed at the White House Visitor Center through August 3, 2026. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate project lead Grace ``Grey'' Pak and her team of cake artists for their hard work and high achievement constructing our Nation's birthday cake. Her team included Justin Bell, Edwin Correa Alverca, Samantha Baldamus Paasche, Latrice Williams, and Edwin Vargas. I would also like to recognize the project's operations support team: Lauren Bell, David Leffler, and Susannah Stevens; and the America250 Congressional liaisons Brad Korten and Tom Jensen. Finally, I would like to thank the following members of Congress for their support of and participation in the project: Representative Robert B. Aderholt, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Representative J. French Hill of Arkansas, Senator Mark Kelly, Representative Norma J. Torres of California, Representative Diana DeGette, Senator Chris Murphy, Senator Chris Coons, Representative Gus M. Bilirakis, Representative Anna Paulina Luna, Representative Andrew S. Clyde, Senator Mazie Hirono, Representative Michael K. Simpson, Representative Russ Fulcher, Representative Nikki Budzinski, Represenative Rudy Yakym, III, Representative James R. Baird, Representative Zachary Nunn of Iowa, Representative Tracey Mann, Representative Harold Rogers of Kentucky, Representative Troy A. Carter of Louisiana, Representative Chellie Pingree, Representative Jamie Raskin, Representative Lori Trahan, Representative Jack Bergman, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Senator Cindy Hyde- Smith, Representative Wesley Bell, Representative Ryan K. Zinke, Representative Mike Flood, Representative Susie Lee of Nevada, Representative Maggie Goodlander, Representative Gabe Vasquez, Representative Thomas R. Suozzi, Representative Donald G. Davis of North Carolina, Representative Julie Fedorchak, Representative Marcy Kaptur, Representative Stephanie I. Bice, Representative Suzanne Bonamici, Representative Chrissy Houlahan, Representative Gabe Amo, Representative Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Representative Sheri Biggs of South Carolina, Representative Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, Representative John W. Rose, Representative August Pfluger, Representative Burgess Owens, Senator Peter Welch, Representative Jennifer A. Kiggans of Virginia, Representative Emily Randall, Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Representative Gwen Moore of Wisconsin, Senator Cynthia Lummis, Representative Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen, Representative James C. Moylan, Representative Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Representative Pablo Jose Hernandez, Representative Stacey E. Plaskett, and Senior Advisor to Mayor Bowser Lindsey Parker. [[Page E992]] ____________________