Columbus Day leaves East Prairie Street in Marengo.

If you had yesterday, thank former McHenry County Congressman Robert C. McClory.

When you think about it, few congressman make a lasting indent on American life.

McHenry County has had two of them.

It’s not necessarily something you can realize immediately. Sometimes it takes time.

At the behest, I learned later, of the tourism industry McClory sponsored the three-day holiday bill.

The biggest fight was over Memorial Day.

It was a big controversy among veterans, as you can imagine.

The buying and selling of gold was legalized by McHenry County Congressman Phil Crane.

The other big change was the legalization of the ownership of gold other than jewelry.

McClory successor Philip Crane pushed that bill through.

There would not be all the buying and melting down of the precious metal without his legislation.

When one reads newspapers today, one wonders how much the full page ads add to their bottom lines.

Will a subsequent McHenry County congressman have a similar claim to fame?

Time will tell.