Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Hickory, North Carolina. In 1870, Adolphus Shuford founded Hickory Tavern, which would later become the city of Hickory. Originally, it featured seven businesses, seven manufacturing plants, and had a population of 330 people. In the 1800s, Hickory was a primary trading center along the Western North Carolina Railroad, and it grew into one of the largest hubs for business manufacturing and textiles in the Southeast United States. Today, Hickory is home to more than 40,000 people. It holds data centers operated by the world's largest technology companies, and over 40 percent of the world's fiber optic cable is manufactured there. Hickory's history goes even beyond its industrial roots. Some other noteworthy features are: the Hickory Motor Speedway, one of the most legendary short tracks in the history of American stock car racing; the local community college, Catawba Valley Community College, which is providing some of the most excellent education offered anywhere in the country to the citizens of the area; Lenoir-Rhyne University, one of North Carolina's premier schools, which was founded in 1891; a wonderful art center; and a Minor League Baseball team, the Hickory Crawdads, which was founded 25 years ago. While the city continues to grow, its historical landmarks still stand as a testament to its rich history.…”