In Recognition of Princeville, North Carolina'a 130th Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise in recognition of the 130th Anniversary of the Town of Princeville, North Carolina--the oldest town in the United States incorporated by African Americans. Princeville is located in Edgecombe County in my Congressional District and was originally known as Freedom Hill when it was founded at the close of the Civil War in 1865 by newly-freed slaves who sought protection in the Union Army encampments there.

Following the departure of the Union soldiers, many of the former slaves stayed behind and formed a free community in Freedom Hill. The settlement grew and was incorporated on February 20, 1885, as Princeville in honor of Turner Prince, a former slave who used his carpentry skills to build many homes in the free community for his family and others who sought refuge there.

The Town of Princeville and its residents have endured much over its 130 year history. Whether it was racial prejudice, social and economic isolation, or Hurricane Floyd that nearly destroyed Princeville, the Town and its proud residents remain resilient and dedicated to building for the future. Today, the Town has well over 2,000 residents and continues to grow.

The Town of Princeville serves as a symbol of the self-determination, endurance, and fearlessness of the African Americans who braved the unimaginable horrors of slavery to reclaim their lives and build a lasting community for future generations.
Today we celebrate Princeville's incredible survival and its unique place in African American culture and United States History. Princeville's story deserves recognition so that the historical and social significance of the Town and the unwavering spirit of its people are widely known.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing and congratulating the Town of Princeville, North Carolina for 130 years of perseverance and for being a symbol of African American strength and resilience.

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