[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 52 (Wednesday, May 4, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: May 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
 COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF THE LAST MEXICAN 
             GOVERNOR OF CALIFORNIA, DON PIO DE JESUS PICO

                                 ______


                       HON. ESTEBAN EDWARD TORRES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 4, 1994

  Mr. TORRES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th 
anniversary of the death of one of California's most remarkable 
historical figures, Don Pio de Jesus Pico, the last Mexican Governor of 
California.
  Born on May 5, 1801, at the San Gabriel Mission, east of Los Angeles, 
Don Pio Pico witnessed and helped to shape nearly a century of 
California history. He died in Los Angeles on September 11, 1894. The 
fourth of ten children born to Jose Maria Pico and Maria Estaquilla 
Lopez, two of the 240 early colonists who came to El Pueblo de Los 
Angeles from Sinaloa, Mexico, on the famous Anza expedition of 1775, 
Don Pio Pico became an astute businessman, caring community leader and 
brilliant statesman.
  Don Pio Pico was a self-made man who rose from extreme poverty to 
immense wealth. At 19 years of age, he began a small business to 
support his large family which was left penniless following the death 
of his father. Well known as a shrewd businessman, many ranchers and 
early settlers frequently asked for his assistance and advice in their 
own business dealings.
  Shortly after embarking on his career as a shopkeeper, Don Pio Pico 
became frustrated with the military's tryanny and oppression of 
citizens. He led a series of revolts against the existing Mexican 
Government to ensure the freedom and livelihood of the Californios.
  Don Pio Pico demonstrated his continued dedication to civic affairs 
as a member of the Government of Mexican California from 1828 until 
1846. In 1845, Don Pio Pico was appointed Governor of Mexican 
California. His term ended on August 10, 1846, when the encroaching 
immigration of eastern settlers terminated Mexican rule and California 
became part of the United States.
  He used his wealth and influence for the benefit of his community, 
contributing to California's early success in the fields of education, 
banking, and community development and served as member of the first 
Los Angeles City Council. Don Pio Pico built the widely-renowned Pico 
House in Los Angeles, and was a pioneer in California's first oil 
venture, which is now known as the Standard Oil Company of California.
  Unfortunately, despite his tireless efforts in amassing a financial 
empire, Don Pio Pico died destitute at the age of 91. Business ventures 
gone awry, unpredictable weather and the unethical actions of other 
businessmen conspired to rapidly erode his fortune.
  Not knowing the English language and relying on the kindness of human 
nature, Don Pio Pico signed what he believed to be a loan document, but 
which, in reality, was a paper swindling him out of all his properties. 
Don Pio Pico contested the validity of the deed. Although the State 
supreme court found that he had been defrauded, he had no legal 
recourse to recover his property valued at $200,000.00, and he died 
penniless. He is buried today at the Workman Temple family cemetary in 
the city of industry.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in acknowledging the many 
contributions that Don Pio de Jesus Pico, a man who epitomized 
America's pioneering spirit of hard work, innate intelligence and 
admirable perseverance.
  


                       SENATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS

  Title IV of Senate Resolution 4, agreed to by the Senate on February 
4, 1977, calls for establishment of a system for a computerized 
schedule of all meetings and hearings of Senate committees, 
subcommittees, joint committees, and committees of conference. This 
title requires all such committees to notify the Office of the Senate 
Daily Digest--designated by the Rules Committee--of the time, place, 
and purpose of the meetings, when scheduled, and any cancellations or 
changes in the meetings as they occur.
  As an additional procedure along with the computerization of this 
information, the Office of the Senate Daily Digest will prepare this 
information for printing in the Extensions of Remarks section of the 
Congressional Record on Monday and Wednesday of each week.
  Meetings scheduled for Thursday, May 5, 1994, may be found in the 
Daily Digest of today's Record.

                           MEETINGS SCHEDULED

                                 MAY 6
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Legislative Branch Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Office of Technology Assessment, and 
           the Library of Congress.
                                                            SD-116
       Governmental Affairs
         To hold hearings to examine health care information 
           management.
                                                            SD-342
     10:00 a.m.
       Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
         To hold hearings on the nominations of Alan S. Blinder, 
           of New Jersey, to be a Member of the Board of Governors 
           of the Federal Reserve System, Steven M. Wallman, of 
           Virginia, to be a Member of the Securities and Exchange 
           Commission, and Philip N. Diehl, of Texas, to be 
           Director of the Mint, Department of the Treasury.
                                                            SD-538
       Veterans' Affairs
         To hold oversight hearings to examine how military 
           research may be hazardous to veterans' health, focusing 
           on lessons from the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War.
                                                            SD-106
                                 MAY 10
     9:30 a.m.
       Energy and Natural Resources
         To hold oversight hearings on implementation of the 
           Administration's Climate Change Action Plan and the 
           Energy Policy Act of 1992.
                                                            SD-366
       Labor and Human Resources
       Disability Policy Subcommittee
         To hold hearings to examine certain issues relating to 
           family support for families of children with 
           disabilities.
                                                            SD-430
     10:00 a.m.
       Labor and Human Resources
       Children, Family, Drugs and Alcoholism Subcommittee
         To hold hearings to examine child safety issues.
                                                            SH-216
     2:30 p.m.
       Appropriations
       Agriculture, Rural Development, and Related Agencies 
           Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, 
           the Farm Credit Administration, and the Food and Drug 
           Administration, Department of Health and Human 
           Services.
                                                            SD-116
       Appropriations
       Energy and Water Development Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Corps of Engineers.
                                                            SD-192
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         To hold hearings on the nominations of Susan Ness, of 
           Maryland, and Rachelle B. Chong, of California, each to 
           be a Member of the Federal Communications Commission.
                                                            SR-253
       Energy and Natural Resources
       Water and Power Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on the potential role of Federal 
           reclamation projects in meeting the water supply needs 
           of the Colonias in Texas.
                                                            SD-366
     3:00 p.m.
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         To hold hearings on the nomination of Alan Sagner, of New 
           Jersey, to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the 
           Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
                                                            SR-253
                                 MAY 11
     9:30 a.m.
       Energy and Natural Resources
         Business meeting, to consider pending calendar business.
                                                            SD-366
       Environment and Public Works
       Clean Air and Nuclear Regulation Subcommittee
         To hold hearings to examine the possible health effects 
           to non-smokers of environmental tobacco smoke.
                                                            SD-406
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Interior Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the National Park Service, Department of 
           the Interior.
                                                    S-128, Capitol
       Labor and Human Resources
         Business meeting, to mark up S. 1981, the Orphan Drug Act 
           Amendments, and S. 784, Dietary Supplement Health and 
           Education Act, and to consider pending nominations.
                                                            SD-430

                                 MAY 12
     9:00 a.m.
       Office of Technology Assessment
         Board meeting, to consider pending business.
                                                   EF-100, Capitol
     9:30 a.m.
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         To resume hearings on S. 1822, to safeguard and protect 
           the public interest while permitting the growth and 
           development of new communications technologies, 
           focusing on long-distance services.
                                                            SR-253
       Energy and Natural Resources
         To hold hearings on the Environmental Protection Agency's 
           proposed renewable oxygenate standard.
                                                            SD-366
       Rules and Administration
         To hold hearings on proposed legislation authorizing 
           funds for fiscal year 1995 for the Federal Election 
           Commission.
                                                            SR-301
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Corporation for National and 
           Community Service.
                                                            SD-106
     2:00 p.m.
       Energy and Natural Resources
       Public Lands, National Parks and Forests Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on S. 1549, to revise the Act 
           establishing Golden Gate National Recreation Area to 
           provide for the management of the Presidio by the 
           Secretary of the Interior, and S. 1639, to provide for 
           the management of the portions of the Presidio under 
           the jurisdiction of the Secretary of the Interior.
                                                            SD-366

                                 MAY 13
     9:30 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Foreign Operations Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for foreign assistance programs, focusing on 
           the global land mines crisis.
                                                            SH-216
       Appropriations
       Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
           Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Departments of Labor, Health and 
           Human Services, and Education.
                                                            SD-192

                                 MAY 16
     4:00 p.m.
       Foreign Relations
         To hold hearings on the nomination of Joseph R. Paolino, 
           Jr., of Rhode Island, to be Ambassdor to the Republic 
           of Malta.
                                                    S-116, Capitol

                                 MAY 17
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Defense Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Department of Defense, focusing on 
           the Pacific Rim, NATO, and peacekeeping programs.
                                                            SD-192
     2:30 p.m.
       Appropriations
       Foreign Operations Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for foreign assistance programs.
                                                            SD-138
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
       Science, Technology, and Space Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed legislation authorizing 
           funds for the earthquake disaster program.
                                                            SR-253

                                 MAY 18
     9:30 a.m.
       Commerce, Science, and Transportation
         To hold hearings on S. 1350, to revise the Earthquake 
           Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 to provide for an 
           expanded Federal program of hazard mitigation and 
           insurance against the risk of catastrophic natural 
           disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and 
           volcanic eruptions.
                                                            SR-253
     10:00 a.m.
       Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
         To resume hearings on S. 1614, authorizing funds through 
           fiscal year 1998 for programs of the Child Nutrition 
           Act and the National School Lunch Act.
                                                            SR-332

                                 MAY 19
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Defense Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Department of Defense.
                                                            SD-192
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Department of Veteran's Affairs, and 
           the Selective Service System.
                                                            SD-106

                                 MAY 20
     9:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Departments of Veteran's Affairs and 
           Housing and Urban Development, and independent 
           agencies.
                                                            SD-138

                                 MAY 24
     2:30 p.m.
       Appropriations
       Foreign Operations Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for foreign assistance programs, focusing on 
           export promotion.
                                                            SD-138

                                 MAY 25
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Interior Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Department of the Interior.
                                                    S-128, Capitol

                                 MAY 26
     9:30 a.m.
       Energy and Natural Resources
         To hold hearings to examine policy options for the 
           disposition of excess weapons plutonium.
                                                            SD-366
       Rules and Administration
         Business meeting, to mark up S. 1824, Legislative 
           Reorganization Act, H.R. 877, Smithsonian National 
           African American Museum, an original bill authorizing 
           appropriations for fiscal year 1995 for the Federal 
           Election Commission, S. Res. 196, printing resolution 
           for Aging Committee, an original resolution authorizing 
           the purchase of 1995 wall calendars, H. Con. Res. 222, 
           authorizing acceptance and placement of a bust in the 
           Capitol, and other legislative business.
                                                            SR-301
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       VA, HUD, and Independent Agencies Subcommittee
         To hold hearings on proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the National Aeronautics and Space 
           Administration.
                                                            SD-106

                                 JUNE 8
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Interior Subcommittee
         To hold hearings proposed budget estimates for fiscal 
           year 1995 for the Department of Energy.
                                                    S-128, Capitol
     2:30 p.m.
       Energy and Natural Resources
       Water and Power Subcommittee
         To hold hearings to examine water quality and quantity 
           problems and opportunities facing the lower Colorado 
           River area.
                                                            SD-366

                                 JUNE 9
     9:30 a.m.
       Energy and Natural Resources
       Water and Power Subcommittee
         To continue hearings on water quality and quantity 
           problems and opportunities facing the lower Colorado 
           River area.
                                                            SD-366

                                JULY 19
     10:00 a.m.
       Appropriations
       Defense Subcommittee
         Business meeting, to mark up proposed legislation 
           authorizing funds for fiscal year 1995 for the 
           Department of Defense.
                                                            SD-192