THE SESQUICENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF GREEN BAY, WI
Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, today I commemorate the sesquicentennial of Green Bay, WI, one of the most famous cities in America, and one of Wisconsin's most beloved places.
Green Bay is Wisconsin's oldest European settlement dating back to the explorations of Jean Nicolet in 1634. Early fur traders and explorers used Green Bay and the Fox River as an important access point from the Great Lakes to the Western lands of the New World. Early French settlers called the bay, "La Baie Verte," because of its green waters. In the second half of the 19th century, European immigrants flocked to Green Bay for the good farming soil and ample business opportunities. The paper industry became a vital part of the Green Bay economy and remains the leading employer in the city today. Green Bay became a city when it was incorporated by the Wisconsin Legislature on February 27, 1854. Today, Green Bay stands with a population of over 100,000 people as Wisconsin's third-largest city.
Today visitors can get a taste of Green Bay's long history at the Heritage Hill State Historic Park which offers a rare opportunity to visit one of Wisconsin's oldest wood homes, the Tank Cottage. Green Bay is also home to the National Railroad Museum, home of the world's largest steam locomotive and General Dwight D. Eisenhower's WWII command train.
Green Bay is known to many as Titletown USA as it is home to the world-famous Green Bay Packers, the real "America's Team." In 1919, Curly Lambeau, who worked for a packing plant, organized the original Packers football team. The team's popularity led to the packing plant backing Lambeau in obtaining a franchise in the new professional football league. Early financial problems were overcome by making the team publically owned, an honor that I am proud to say I am now a part of. The rest, as they say, is history. The Packers have gone on to win 12 championships, more than any other pro football team. Green Bay has been the stage for such great games as the 1967 Ice Bowl and such talents as Vince Lombardi, Don Hutson, Bart Starr and Brett Favre. Every year, people from all over the country make a pilgrimage to Green Bay to see the frozen tundra of the beautifully renovated Lambeau Field and visit the Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame.
Green Bay is a city with a distinguished history, a proud tradition of hardworking families and a bright future. Happy birthday, Green Bay. We are looking forward to the next 150 years.