CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF WALL TOWNSHIP

CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF WALL TOWNSHIP

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 42 (Thursday, March 5, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E193-E194] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] CELEBRATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF WALL TOWNSHIP ______ HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH of new jersey in the house of representatives Thursday, March 5, 2026 Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, on March 10, 2026, the citizens of Wall, New Jersey will officially recognize the 175th anniversary of the founding of their Township, a historic and vibrant municipality located in the 4th Congressional District of New Jersey. From its critical contributions in support of the American patriots during the Revolutionary War, to the important technological innovations discovered there during the 20th century, to the expansive selection of primary and specialty medical care providers offered there [[Page E194]] today, Wall Township has given its residents much to be proud of and celebrate. Officially incorporated in March of 1851, Wall Township was named in honor of Garret D. Wall, a notable New Jersey lawyer, judge, and U.S. Senator during the mid-19th century. Senator Wall was also a veteran of the War of 1812, who was stationed at Sandy Hook, and a Quartermaster general for the State of New Jersey. And Senator Wall was the only man appointed to Governor who declined to serve. Naming Wall Township in his honor speaks to Senator Wall's humility, patriotism, integrity, and once-in-a-lifetime service. But Wall Township's rich and expansive history can be traced back to before its incorporation--as far back to pre-Revolutionary War times. In 1693, East and West New Jersey Governor Andrew Hamilton established Monmouth County, New Jersey, which, at the time, only consisted of three townships: Freehold, Middletown, and Shrewsbury. Modern-day Wall Township existed within Shrewsbury's historic borders. And during this time, Wall Township established itself as a critical, resourceful, and productive part of Monmouth County and New Jersey as a whole. In 1776, when the Continental Congress issued urgent calls to the colonies to boost salt production, the colonists of early Wall Township answered. They established numerous emergency saltworks, which were critical for preserving fish, meat, and hides, in addition to making gunpowder--vital to the success of our nascent army. Among these emergency saltworks was the infamous Union Saltworks on the Manasquan River, which was repeatedly destroyed by the British and reconstructed by the Americans--showing that the residents of Wall were then, as they are now, the ``salt of the Earth.'' In fact, the repeated rebuilding of Union Saltworks is a testament to the enduring grit that still defines Wall residents to this day. Nearly two centuries later, Wall Township again became a hotspot for making significant contributions to U.S. military operations and national security. In the early 20th century, Wall Township became the birthplace of the Marconi Belmar Wireless Station, a massive trans-Atlantic radio transmission complex built by inventor Guglielmo Marconi. Prior to the United States' entry into World War II, the U.S. Army acquired the Marconi Station in 1941 and established Camp Evans, a military communications center and cutting-edge radar research facility. At Camp Evans, military researchers and scientists developed novel broadcasting and defense technologies, many of which are still used today. Namely, Camp Evans boasted the radar technology that was able to detect the Japanese planes within an hour of their bombing of Pearl Harbor. This technology was also used to aid U.S. air power, playing a vital role in securing Allied success during World War II. Camp Evans is also the home of Project Radar Diana--an unofficial U.S. Army project named after the Roman moon goddess Diana and conducted during the mid-1940s--that contributed to momentous breakthroughs in space exploration. Project Radar Diana laid the foundation for future U.S. space exploration and helped make our first voyage into space possible. Wall Township's innovative spirit lives on through its nearly 27,000 residents, as the home of a diverse small business and growing eco- tourism sector, numerous parks and open spaces, and highly rated schools. Among the scientists, astronauts, entrepreneurs, musicians, political leaders, and decorated war heroes who have all called Wall Township home are the supportive parents, good neighbors, hard workers, and caring citizens that make up this amazing community. I am honored to congratulate the entire municipality and join in celebrating this amazing milestone. It has been a momentous past 175 years, and I can only imagine the great heights to which Wall Township will soar over the next 175 years. ____________________