Herbert Klein: “it is my sincere honor to represent the Eighth District of New Jersey, which is home to one of the truly unique areas in…”

“it is my sincere honor to represent the Eighth District of New Jersey, which is home to one of the truly unique areas in our great Nation. There are many areas of natural beauty throughout the United States, and many areas of unique cultural significance. But no single area brings together these two characteristics as splendidly as does the Great Falls District of Paterson, NJ. In 1791, Alexander Hamilton and others founded an industrial venture known as the Society for the Establishment of Useful Manufactures [SUM]. This society was the practical embodiment of the theory Hamilton espoused in his Report on Manufactures, that the establishment of American industries was the best way to fortify American independence. Under Hamilton's guidance, the SUM acquired land surrounding the Great Falls of the Passaic River in order to supply power to various mills and factories through a 2\1/2-mile system of raceways. Much of the original raceway is still standing, but in extreme disrepair. As for natural beauty, the appeal of the Great Falls is obvious. Where else in urban America can one find a waterfall of such magnitude? For those who do not know, the Great Falls is the second largest waterfall east of the Mississippi. The Great Falls is a magnificent sight which, unfortunately, is an underpublicized and underutilized scenic resource.”