00:01 - Okay.

00:01 - Good morning everyone.

00:03 - Thank you so much for being here.

00:05 - And on behalf of chairman Pat Burns and the America Commission.

00:09 - Welcome.

00:11 - I'd like to start our program this morning by asking Miss Northeastern

00:14 - Pennsylvania, Victoria Vessey, go to join us for the Pledge of Allegiance.

00:18 - Immediately followed by the national anthem performed by Robin Schneider.

00:23 - If everyone to please rise.

00:30 - I pledge allegiance to the flag

00:32 - of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

00:37 - One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

00:43 - Thank you.

00:57 - Oh, say, can you see.

01:03 - By the dawn's early light.

01:08 - What so proudly we hailed

01:12 - at the twilight's last gleaming.

01:16 - Whose broad stripes and bright stars.

01:21 - Through the page of loves fight.

01:25 - O'er the ramparts we watched.

01:30 - Were so gallantly streaming.

01:35 - And the rockets red glare,

01:40 - the bombs bursting in air.

01:44 - Gave proof through the night

01:48 - that our flag was still there.

01:53 - Oh, say does that star spangled

01:58 - banner yet wave o'er

02:03 - the land of the free.

02:08 - And the home of the brave,

02:15 - brave wave.

02:26 - Thank you so much.

02:28 - And thank you to all of you.

02:29 - Could be seated.

02:32 - Thank you for joining us today

02:34 - here at the Holly Silk Mill in Wayne County.

02:37 - I am Cassandra

02:38 - Coleman, and I have the honor of serving as the executive Director of America

02:42 - 200 DPI, which is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Commission

02:46 - that was charged with planning and coordinating all of the programing

02:49 - projects and events around the 250th

02:53 - anniversary of the United States in 2026.

02:56 - America has a mission of engaging every Pennsylvanian

03:00 - in every county as we strive to make 2026 epic.

03:05 - As we educate, preserve, innovate, and celebrate all of the contributions

03:10 - of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvanians to the nation

03:14 - over the last 250 years,

03:17 - we are very proud of the strong foundation that we have built over the last

03:22 - six years since the Commission was created.

03:26 - Our work, this impactful, important work

03:29 - wouldn't be possible without the support of so many.

03:33 - And in addition to those who you'll hear from on the program today,

03:37 - we have representatives of local county and state offices.

03:40 - I'd like to recognize Tony Herzog from Senator Lisa Baker's office.

03:44 - Tony. Thank you for being here.

03:48 - And I'd like

03:49 - to recognize Christine Bush from Senator Rosemary Brown's office.

03:52 - So, Christine, thank you for being here as well.

03:56 - In addition, I want to recognize

03:57 - the Wayne County commissioners, Jocelyn Kramer and James Schook.

04:01 - Thank you for being here.

04:05 - The Pike

04:05 - County commissioners, Matt Osterberg and Ron Schmalz,

04:08 - thank you for being here.

04:13 - Holly Borough

04:13 - representatives, Mayor John Nichols and council vice President Elaine Herzog.

04:18 - Thank you.

04:21 - And I'd also like to recognize

04:23 - a few additional special guests we have with us here today.

04:28 - So how about our band?

04:30 - So thank you to the Warren Pumping Area band.

04:32 - Thank you for being here.

04:37 - We have Paul Magnitsky from the Department of Community and Economic Development.

04:41 - Thank you for being here, Paul.

04:45 - We have Barb Roper and members

04:47 - of the Wayne chapter of the daughters of the American Revolution.

04:50 - Thank you for all of your support.

04:55 - We also have Lizzie

04:56 - Brezhnev, our America 250 ambassador here.

04:59 - Thank you for being here, Lizzie.

05:05 - And America

05:06 - 250 is made up of 24

05:09 - appointed members and 15 ex-officio members.

05:12 - One of those ex-officio members is the Colonel of the Pennsylvania State Police.

05:16 - And I have to say, we are doing events almost every day across the Commonwealth

05:21 - in all 67 counties, and it is it is absolutely.

05:25 - We are so appreciative of the work

05:27 - of the Pennsylvania State Police as well as our local law enforcement.

05:31 - They allow us to put these events on.

05:33 - They allow us to do this safely.

05:34 - So please, a round of applause for our law enforcement here today.

05:42 - And we also want to take this time to recognize

05:44 - the generosity of the presenting sponsor for the America 250

05:48 - semicolon Centennial Bell here at the Holly Silk Mill.

05:51 - Settlers hospitality of which you will hear from Justin Gunslinger shortly.

05:55 - So a round of applause for them.

06:01 - And last recognition.

06:02 - We would like to just thank our transportation partner for the day time

06:05 - away transportation for getting everyone here from the parking place.

06:09 - So thank you so much.

06:14 - To the America

06:14 - 250 PA semi Quinn Centennial bells aim to highlight

06:18 - untold stories here in the Commonwealth, but not only highlight.

06:23 - How do we recognize and permanently lock into history

06:26 - remarkable stories that were left out of the history books

06:29 - through this opportunity of this milestone anniversary.

06:33 - I have known the gunslingers for many, many years

06:36 - and know how important uplifting this community is to them.

06:40 - They are always there to support, and we also know how much Mister

06:43 - Gunslinger loves history and talking about the remarkable history that exists here.

06:49 - So when they reached out after attending our first seminar

06:53 - with Centennial Bell Dedication at the Dennis Farm with this story,

06:56 - we immediately knew that this was the place for the next one.

07:00 - I am honored to be able to stand here today and look out and see

07:04 - this beautiful permanent semi Quinn Centennial Bell

07:08 - a bell that will in fact lock this story of grit and persevere,

07:13 - of immigrants, primarily women and children,

07:16 - who forged the nation during the Industrial Revolution.

07:20 - Let's give that a round of applause.

07:26 - And it is now my honor to introduce to you

07:29 - my friend Justin Slinger, CEO of Settler's Hospitality.

07:33 - Justin.

07:37 - Thank you.

07:42 - Beautiful day in Holly, Pennsylvania today.

07:44 - Thanks all for being here.

07:49 - So Cassandra

07:50 - doesn't get off easy, but thanks for the introduction.

07:53 - She and I have been friends long before her work with America.

07:56 - 250 and I must say that when we heard about not only the project,

08:01 - but that she was going to be leading the effort,

08:05 - we basically said, this is something we have to be a part of.

08:09 - And it wasn't that hard to persuade her, although she did say, well, you're

08:12 - going to have to raise 250 for the bell and whatever it cost to build the site.

08:17 - And we said, well, we think we can do that.

08:20 - Election here has made it a little bit challenging,

08:22 - but I have a few remarks for our sponsors in a minute. The,

08:26 - but Cassandra has never started anything without hitting it out of the park.

08:31 - This woman does it right.

08:32 - And with Terese, Leo, and the rest of the team,

08:36 - let's recognize the work that these people are putting in for years.

08:46 - So this also, the first time

08:49 - we heard about this project and, and broke ground on it

08:53 - in May of 24, was the 15th year of this revitalization project in Holly,

08:59 - where we closed on the building in May of two of 2009.

09:04 - I think that's 15 years.

09:06 - But, anyway, so it's been a long story, and I think this is the

09:10 - crowning achievement to really cap it off as a community gathering spot

09:15 - and the hub that this site has served that for well over 100 years.

09:20 - The, we got together

09:22 - and had a little family meeting and said, do we think we can pull this off?

09:26 - So what?

09:26 - We're going to have to divide and conquer

09:28 - so that immediately volunteered for the history committee.

09:32 - Mom reluctantly volunteered to sign up to help

09:35 - twist arms and raise money with myself and Tom lamb,

09:40 - and we called

09:41 - back our friend Nick Snyder from volunteers Winooski Jackson,

09:44 - who was the architect on this whole site years ago, to do the design

09:48 - and then lead the construction team where Graham Construction,

09:53 - our partner Rob, and his wife Carla, have been tremendous supporters and partners,

09:57 - and so they've been overseeing the physical lift along with a lot of others.

10:02 - And our man Norman Facilities was settler's hospitality

10:06 - have almost finished the project.

10:08 - So but before this holiday season it will be done.

10:11 - And it's pretty darn close right now.

10:13 - So thank you for everybody on the project team

10:17 - who has put in the effort to be here.

10:19 - And I just want to recognize them.

10:28 - And unfortunately,

10:28 - nothing in life is free. So,

10:32 - you know, we volunteered for this site and said, well,

10:35 - if we can't raise it, we're going to have to come up with a way to write it.

10:38 - But fortunately, if you look around this

10:41 - parking lot, patio, tent,

10:44 - there are a lot of community stakeholders here and nearly

10:47 - all of you who have contributed in some way to making this possible.

10:52 - In particular, a few have donated

10:55 - things like $25,000 or more,

10:58 - many of which are our family members.

11:01 - Cousin David Tolson here today.

11:04 - Thank you.

11:07 - My uncle John Schumann and

11:09 - Aunt Cindy also business partners for life.

11:13 - Thank you.

11:15 - My parents, on behalf of our whole family,

11:18 - my parents, my wife Heather and I and my sisters.

11:21 - Thank you.

11:27 - At least

11:28 - I didn't trip on it. The, And then also Grimm Construction

11:34 - has not only been doing the work, but it also served as a generous sponsor.

11:39 - As of am Sky insurance and Henry and Eve Squire.

11:42 - So, Rob, Carla, Henry.

11:44 - Eve, thank you very much.

11:51 - And our newest business partner

11:52 - in town and also largest individual sponsor.

11:56 - With us on this project is Northwell Health,

12:01 - which many of you will be hearing more about them in the future.

12:05 - But they kicked in $100,000 today as they opened

12:09 - the first urgent care primary care center in Pike County.

12:18 - Guillain Barre are here today.

12:19 - Thank you.

12:20 - On behalf of the team and welcome to town, because your services

12:24 - are needed and appreciated.

12:27 - So, there's some significance to this project.

12:31 - I'll just take one more minute.

12:33 - We are here for the 250th birthday of the country,

12:37 - which is 140 years or more after

12:40 - this building where

12:43 - there was a fire in 1884,

12:46 - 140 years ago, and this entire community came out

12:51 - to rebuild this site in ten months.

12:54 - And I think I'm getting that right, that

12:57 - but it was the community stakeholders, along with the workers

13:02 - and townspeople, that came up to save the mill.

13:05 - We'd like to think we've given it a new life.

13:08 - And today, those community stakeholders have sponsored this event

13:12 - where we can celebrate our country and more importantly,

13:16 - this area's contribution to it.

13:19 - So in the Industrial Revolution, times, it was coal powered.

13:25 - It was women and children

13:27 - working in the mill, largely immigrants.

13:31 - It was their husbands and fathers fueling this bluestone

13:35 - so that we could chip glass, textiles and other things

13:40 - to the cities of New York, Philadelphia and the like.

13:43 - And it was an economic development story then,

13:46 - and it's an economic development story now.

13:49 - So thank you all for being here.

13:52 - I would like to say on a celebratory note, in a couple of years,

13:56 - we're going to look forward to having a party for this country's

13:59 - 250th birthday, which happens to be the same year as Lake one.

14:02 - Paul Parks 100.

14:04 - Thank you.

14:14 - Thank you so much, Justin.

14:15 - So America is blessed to have the continued support of governor

14:19 - Josh Shapiro, who serves as one of our America chief and co-chairs,

14:23 - along with all five former governors and our chairman, Patrick Burns.

14:27 - And here today, representing the governor's office is Drew Popish,

14:31 - who will deliver special greetings from Governor Shapiro.

14:34 - Drew.

14:41 - She used to also introduce me as her friend, too, but I showed up

14:43 - a minute early today, so I have a feeling she feels differently now. So.

14:47 - Hi everyone, I'm Andrew Pappas, Northeast regional director for governor.

14:51 - Josh Shapiro.

14:52 - I like to say I'm like the generic version of Josh Shapiro.

14:55 - Like you order him and then this is what comes in the mail.

14:58 - So sorry about that. You got me.

15:00 - But it's an honor to be here to represent him today.

15:03 - And I'm just going to, read some words that he had written, to present to you.

15:08 - So greetings.

15:09 - It is my honor

15:10 - to recognize the holly silk mill for being selected to receive a semicolon.

15:13 - Centennial bell,

15:15 - Pennsylvania possesses a deep history and is enriched by places like this

15:19 - that have been dedicated to the preservation

15:21 - of that history for future generations.

15:23 - In 1881, the Holly Silk Mill emerged at the height

15:27 - of the Industrial Revolution and served as a beacon of opportunity

15:30 - for Pennsylvanians.

15:32 - This establishment holds a significant place in history of women

15:36 - and immigrants in the workforce,

15:37 - and is a testament to their entrepreneurial spirits,

15:40 - grit, and determination that has left a remarkable and timeless

15:43 - impact of the story of our Commonwealth.

15:46 - This milestone not only provides recognition

15:48 - for the trailblazing women and immigrants who helped forge our nation,

15:51 - but also for the individuals who have preserved their legacy, followed

15:54 - in the footprints, in the footsteps, and inspired excellence in others.

15:59 - The Holly Silk Mill is a true gem with our Commonwealth

16:02 - and has been instrumental

16:03 - to the Pennsylvania success successes through his exceptional service

16:07 - as a historical, educational and cultural landmark.

16:10 - I commend the Holly Silk Mill for their unwavering commitment,

16:13 - for conserving our for conserving our heritage,

16:16 - for a better, brighter future where every Pennsylvanian has the freedom

16:20 - to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed.

16:23 - I am certain the Holly Silk Mill will continue to represent

16:26 - Pennsylvania with great distinction for many years to come.

16:29 - As governor and on behalf of all Pennsylvanians, I'm

16:32 - honored to recognize the dedication of the Semi-Colon Centennial Bell.

16:35 - It's the Holly Silk Mill made by America 250.

16:39 - Please accept my best wishes for continued success

16:42 - given under the hand and the seal of the governor, governor Josh Shapiro.

16:45 - So thank you.

16:53 - You go.

16:59 - Thank you.

17:00 - Drew, I now have the pleasure of introducing you to America

17:04 - and EPA, ex-officio Commissioner and the Pennsylvania Auditor General.

17:08 - Tim DeFore.

17:19 - You know,

17:19 - I have to say what a Chamber of Commerce Day.

17:25 - And, it's without a doubt

17:27 - and honored honored to be here to celebrate the second

17:31 - installation of America 250

17:34 - semicolon Centennial Belt at Holly's Mill.

17:37 - And I want to thank Senator Settler's Hospitality for sponsoring the bill

17:42 - and your continued commitment to serving Pennsylvania's history.

17:47 - So thank you, settler's.

17:54 - And the semicolon, Quinn.

17:56 - Centennial Bell we will unveil here today.

17:59 - It lists up the untold stories of the women

18:04 - and children who worked here when the mill first opened in 1880.

18:10 - And it works for all of us.

18:11 - The role Pennsylvania played in our nation's history through

18:16 - innovation, advances in technology,

18:20 - and the ability to reinvent ourselves.

18:25 - As you can see, through

18:26 - the vision of this particular community,

18:31 - how these mill is still the same economic heartbeat of Wayne County

18:36 - that it was back in 1881.

18:40 - It has helped grow.

18:41 - Our America, has helped grow our American story,

18:44 - first as a textile factory,

18:47 - as an antique center,

18:49 - and today as a hub for education,

18:53 - business, for arts and entertainment,

18:57 - and through America. 250

19:00 - we are sharing, sometimes

19:02 - for the very first time,

19:06 - histories and stories.

19:08 - And the people like

19:11 - the ones that are here today,

19:14 - who are the fabric of not only Pennsylvania.

19:19 - Where are the fabric of our nation's history?

19:23 - By doing this,

19:25 - by putting this bill here,

19:28 - we are teaching our children

19:31 - that history happens.

19:33 - And history has taught both inside and outside the classrooms.

19:40 - And there is so much

19:41 - more to learn about our nation's history

19:45 - by telling some of the lesser known

19:49 - and unknown stories.

19:52 - And during the next two years,

19:54 - there will be so many ways for each of you.

19:58 - And I see a lot of you out there, each of you, to get involved by

20:03 - volunteering in your community, volunteering

20:05 - for America to

20:09 - celebrating your own

20:11 - local history like the history we're celebrating today.

20:15 - So I encourage each one of you

20:18 - to go on America two Fifty's website.

20:23 - Go in the different social medias.

20:26 - Share that information

20:28 - and also donations are also nice.

20:33 - Get involved

20:34 - and it is without a doubt

20:37 - one of the pleasures

20:39 - of my role as Auditor-General to be involved with America.

20:44 - 250 PA

20:46 - because

20:48 - by serving

20:51 - I am also.

20:52 - We are also helping to tell

20:55 - the story of Pennsylvania.

20:59 - We are helping to show how Pennsylvania

21:05 - became such a integral part

21:08 - in the founding of this great nation that we live in.

21:12 - Thank you very much.

21:21 - Thanks, Jenna.

21:23 - I also, before we get to our next speaker, I just want to give a special

21:26 - thank you as well to the Wayne County Community Foundation, who served

21:30 - as the coordinating entity.

21:31 - Let's give them a round of applause.

21:35 - For this project.

21:36 - So thank you for all of your work.

21:38 - And I do see that another special guests arrived.

21:41 - So as I mentioned earlier, our first semi Centennial Bell

21:45 - was dedicated last year in June of 2023,

21:49 - to the Dennis farm, which is the longest continuously owned African-American

21:53 - owned farm in the country, located here in the Commonwealth in Susquehanna County.

21:57 - And I do see that we have Denise Dennis and Lonnie

21:59 - Moore from the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust here with us.

22:02 - So thank you for being here to support our next bell.

22:09 - And now I would like to introduce you

22:11 - to Congressman Matt Cartwright.

22:21 - Thank you, Cassandra. And,

22:24 - general for is right.

22:26 - It is a Chamber of Commerce Day, and I've been working out

22:30 - how to take credit for it.

22:33 - But he gave me the idea because,

22:35 - as the the top appropriator in the United States

22:39 - House of Representatives on the commerce, justice and Science subcommittee.

22:44 - I'm the ranking Democrat on that.

22:46 - And we fund the Department of Commerce, which houses the National Weather Service.

22:51 - So I I'm not I'm just saying.

22:55 - Wow, what a great day.

22:57 - And what a terrific location for this.

22:59 - I want to give a couple of shout outs.

23:01 - First of all, I want to thank the Wallenpaupack High School band.

23:05 - I got out of the car, about 20 minutes ago, and the band struck up

23:09 - a stirring tone and I thought, man, I like being greeted like this.

23:14 - I also want to, give a shout

23:16 - out to my dear friend Theresa Casey, who has thrown herself into this project.

23:21 - She's here. How about a round of applause

23:24 - that you're is Casey.

23:28 - So much of this is about,

23:31 - about tourism and local development and,

23:34 - somebody who hasn't been mentioned is a dear friend of mine,

23:37 - the the head of the, Pocono Mountain Visitors Bureau.

23:41 - Chris Baird is here for this.

23:43 - Thank you for being here, Chris.

23:48 - And, Justin gunslinger was,

23:51 - he was bashful about his own role.

23:53 - He has been up.

23:55 - He has been the spearhead of bringing bringing Northwell Health,

23:59 - into this part of northeastern Pennsylvania,

24:02 - which has, you know, too often has become a health care desert. And,

24:08 - Northwell Health and Justin Gunslinger are helping to turn that around.

24:13 - Today is a special day, and I'm thrilled that the

24:16 - the America, 250 par commission, spearheaded by our illustrious governor

24:22 - Josh Shapiro, has chosen this historic borough of holly to become home

24:29 - of this Sammy Quinn Centennial Bell.

24:33 - But behind that fancy Sammy Quinn

24:35 - centennial word is a powerful story, one that brings to life

24:40 - the history of our communities, our commonwealth, our nation.

24:45 - Again, thanks to Justin Gunslinger, but all all of the gunslingers

24:49 - Grant, Gene and Heather, for doing this, for the generosity

24:54 - the gunslingers have been a lifeline in preserving this holly silk mill.

24:59 - And for that, we are all incredibly grateful.

25:03 - I want to also give a heartfelt thank you to governor Josh Shapiro,

25:07 - Patrick Burns, Cassandra Coleman, and everybody at America.

25:11 - 250 A for the important work

25:13 - you're doing in each of the 67 counties of our Commonwealth.

25:18 - And I can't think of a better community than ours here in Holly,

25:22 - or a better place than the historic silk mill to be home to.

25:27 - What you're going to say is a beautiful bell.

25:30 - The Holly Silk Mill holds a special place in our hearts,

25:33 - and not just because it's the home of my congressional office in this area.

25:39 - Up and on the second floor in suite 213.

25:42 - We are originally known as the Belmont Silk Mill.

25:47 - This impressive structure was a vital part of our industrial history

25:52 - and has stood as a symbol of this community since 1880.

25:56 - It is still the largest laid bluestone

26:00 - building in the world, constructed by hand and once

26:04 - powered by the waters of the Poppy Creek behind it.

26:10 - But its significance goes far

26:12 - beyond its size or its history as a factory.

26:16 - It's the stories of the people who worked here

26:19 - that are the truly remarkable things, especially the women

26:23 - who worked in this mill during the late 1880s.

26:26 - These women, often from overseas, were more than just workers.

26:31 - They were pioneers.

26:32 - They played a pivotal role in the labor movement,

26:36 - fighting for better working conditions, safer workplaces,

26:39 - child labor laws and the right to education for everybody.

26:44 - In doing so, they didn't just fuel the Industrial revolution.

26:48 - They helped build the foundation of a fairer, more just America.

26:53 - These women were part of a movement that transformed our nation

26:57 - and ensured that workers would have rights, protection and a voice.

27:02 - And today we continue to benefit from the battles

27:05 - fought right here at the Holly Silk Mill, battles that shaped workers

27:09 - rights and better working conditions for all Americans.

27:13 - That's why the America 250 initiative is so important.

27:17 - It's more than just commemorating a milestone year.

27:21 - It's about preserving and promoting the memory of those

27:25 - who shaped our communities, our commonwealth, our country.

27:29 - So let's take a moment

27:31 - to recognize the significance of what's happening here today.

27:35 - As we unveil this bell, let us remember the generations of people immigrants,

27:41 - workers, and everyday Americans who have shaped our nation

27:45 - right here in Wayne County and across northeastern Pennsylvania.

27:50 - Their legacy

27:51 - continues to live on in the hard work and community spirit

27:55 - that we are still known for today.

27:59 - Now, this is the Sammy Quinn centennial,

28:02 - and many of us were alive at the Bicentennial.

28:05 - And those of us who were we've learned so much about our country in the last

28:10 - 50 years, almost all of it good,

28:14 - almost all of it exceptional, almost all of it

28:17 - things that we will carry with us the rest of our lives.

28:22 - I'm here to tell you

28:23 - that with the installation on this Sammy Quinn Centennial Bell,

28:27 - we are showing that the beating heart of America continues

28:32 - to beat on proudly right here in northeastern Pennsylvania.

28:36 - I thank you all for joining us in this celebration

28:39 - and in this wonderful commemoration.

28:42 - Thank you all.

28:52 - Thank you, Congressman.

28:54 - As a former borough mayor myself, I, you know, walking into this role,

28:58 - it was so important to me to ensure that we had partnerships with localities

29:03 - and counties, but more importantly that we recognized

29:07 - and we told those stories of the amazing communities

29:10 - that make up the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and America

29:13 - is so proud to say that we were the first state in the nation

29:17 - to announce that we have all 67 counties

29:21 - who have passed a resolution becoming official partners to this effort.

29:25 - So thank you to all of our counties.

29:32 - And we are just so darn proud of those partnerships.

29:34 - And here with us today to speak on behalf of the Wayne County

29:37 - Commissioners is Jocelyn Kramer.

29:49 - Hello, everyone.

29:50 - Thank you very much for being here today.

29:52 - And thank you folks very much for inviting us to speak.

29:56 - This is an incredible day.

29:58 - I'm thrilled to be here on behalf of all three of your Wayne County

30:01 - commissioners, Brian Smith, Jim, Chuck and myself, Jocelyn Kramer to just,

30:08 - to be a part of this incredible ceremony

30:11 - and this little piece of history right here in Wayne

30:14 - County, just so everybody remembers where we are right now.

30:17 - We're in Wayne County.

30:19 - All right, got that wrong.

30:23 - And, Justin, when you got up and spoke about your family,

30:26 - that family meeting where you talked about, can we pull this off?

30:30 - I chuckle a little bit to myself, because I know you and your family

30:33 - a little bit, and I don't know you to not pull anything off.

30:37 - So I want to thank you and the entire settler's hospitality

30:42 - family and the American 250 folks for all the work

30:45 - that went into this incredible day.

30:47 - So one more round of applause for all that you.

30:53 - So here in Wayne County,

30:56 - I just want to talk a very little bit

30:59 - about the next 250 years.

31:02 - What has happened here is remarkable.

31:05 - What will happen next is up to all of us.

31:08 - So when we're filled with a room, a room, an outdoor area

31:12 - filled with all kinds of people who make things happen in our community,

31:17 - we're going to dedicate this bill today

31:20 - who will serve as a witness to the next 250 years.

31:25 - And we all might be a little biased, but I think this corner of the world,

31:29 - the community leaders in this corner of our world are remarkable.

31:35 - So in 250 years, I hope that we see

31:39 - a lot of what we're seeing today, which is neighbors helping neighbors,

31:44 - good local elected officials, state officials who work well with each other.

31:49 - We have multiple diverse houses of worship all across this community,

31:54 - and this is a place where America is at its best in my opinion.

31:59 - So I salute all of the sacrifice

32:03 - of our veterans for the last 250 years.

32:06 - I salute the sacrifices that are yet to be

32:09 - and the incredible version of this country

32:13 - 250 years from now.

32:16 - So to that I celebrate and I'm glad to be here.

32:19 - I thank you all and encourage all of us to be a part of

32:23 - making the next 250 years even more remarkable.

32:27 - Thank you everyone.

32:36 - Thank you, Commissioner.

32:38 - And now to speak on behalf of the Pike County Commissioners

32:40 - with Commissioner Ron Schmaltzy.

32:47 - I'm. When I saw

32:50 - where I was speaking on the program, I knew I had something on my hands.

32:53 - But not only is she dynamic

32:56 - and a close personal friend who would like to take shots of everybody

32:59 - telling us that we're in Wayne County, I have to adjust these microphones.

33:04 - So, Jocelyn, grow up, please.

33:08 - I'm going to I'm going to segue into something

33:11 - just before I say a few words about today.

33:13 - And that's our commitment to from North.

33:15 - Well, and I don't think I can be, recognized more.

33:20 - Your commitment is significant.

33:22 - I become really, really, really close buddies with all the people at Northwell.

33:27 - And I'm a native, like, Justin is a native here, and we won't stop until it's done.

33:32 - So we won't stop and your phone won't stop working until we

33:35 - have better health care here.

33:39 - Back to the program.

33:42 - It's my profound honor

33:44 - to follow my dear friend Jocelyn Kramer

33:48 - and all the speakers here today,

33:51 - and I want to be on behalf

33:54 - of the Pike County Commissioners, Matt Osterberg and Christopher Casarez.

33:58 - But all of the people of Pike in Wayne County,

34:01 - when we go to events, there's 67 counties represented.

34:05 - There's no two counties that work together better than Wayne in Pike County.

34:09 - And I think even Jocelyn would say that.

34:15 - We also are so very, very lucky to have families like

34:18 - the gunslingers, families that understand how important our history is

34:23 - and how we must preserve it, but also improving the quality of life

34:28 - for the people that live here, like myself and the people that visit here.

34:32 - As we stand here today in the presence of this remarkable replica of the Liberty

34:37 - Bell, we are reminded of the enduring power of symbols.

34:44 - The Liberty

34:44 - Bell is more than just a piece of history.

34:47 - It is a representation of freedom,

34:50 - unity and resilience.

34:53 - Just behind me, just behind this grand building,

34:58 - is a beautiful set of falls that spill down from the Wallenpaupack

35:03 - and yes, just on the other side of those falls

35:06 - and the other side of Lake One fall back is beautiful.

35:09 - Pike County,

35:11 - and it starts its journey down the wall in Paul Peck Creek,

35:15 - to the lack of action to the Delaware and all the way to Philadelphia.

35:19 - What a perfect spot for this event.

35:22 - What a perfect spot for this bell.

35:27 - At this time

35:28 - of uncertainty and individualism,

35:31 - let us be an example.

35:33 - Right here in this beautiful corner of Pennsylvania.

35:37 - Let us unite.

35:38 - Use this beautiful belt placed on this

35:41 - historic site to reflect our past,

35:44 - celebrate our progress, and look forward to a future

35:48 - where liberty continues to flourish today and going forward,

35:54 - let us

35:54 - blur the borders that separate the counties, states, regions

35:59 - and come together as one.

36:03 - Let us pause any thoughts?

36:05 - And this is a real hard one, because when you go home tonight,

36:07 - you're going to have a boatload of fliers in your mailbox.

36:10 - You're going to turn on the TV or you're going to open your laptop.

36:14 - But let's pause.

36:15 - Let's pause the differences in race, sex, party,

36:20 - and individual choices to focus on

36:23 - the common will of our freedoms.

36:27 - Let's all be just Americans.

36:30 - Let freedom ring and continue to ring here and across this great country.

36:36 - Thank you.

36:45 - Thank you Commissioner.

36:47 - So I want to thank each and every one of you again for being here with us today.

36:52 - And this concludes this portion of the program.

36:55 - I do want to invite everyone to the waterfront Room at Silver Birches

36:59 - to join us for a luncheon immediately following the ceremony.

37:03 - But now we ask that everyone, please join us

37:06 - at the Semi Centennial Bell for the official unveiling as we listen

37:10 - to a performance of America the Beautiful by Robin Schneider.

37:19 - Because we have all of our

37:20 - do do the bell.

37:28 - Hello, beautiful

37:32 - for spacious skies,

37:36 - for amber

37:39 - waves of green,

37:44 - for purple mountain

37:49 - Majesty.

37:53 - Blue of the fruited play.

37:59 - Oh, Merrick.

38:04 - America.

38:07 - God shed his grace

38:11 - on thee.

38:14 - And crown thy good

38:18 - with brotherhood from sea

38:23 - to shining sea.

39:38 - I said we.