[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  CONGRESSIONAL RECORD INSERT SALUTE TO SIMI VALLEY ON THE CITY'S 25TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                          HON. ELTON GALLEGLY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 5, 1994

  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a place I have 
called home for nearly three decades--the city of Simi Valley, which 
this year is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its incorporation.
  Like many other long-time residents, I was originally drawn to the 
area that would become Simi Valley because of its rural atmosphere and 
reasonable home prices. Back then, Simi Valley was a place where you 
could buy more home than you thought you could afford and enjoy a 
quality of life you didn't think was possible so close to a large 
metropolitan city like Los Angeles.
  Housing prices have increased over the years as word of Simi Valley 
spread, but both new and established residents continue to enjoy the 
city's rural atmosphere and Western flavor. Even as the city has 
grown--now numbering more than 100,000 people--Simi Valley has retained 
its small-town feel and sense of community.
  The city has also had success in building up its commercial and 
industrial base. As a former mayor, I am happy to have been able to 
play some small role in Simi Valley's transition from a bedroom 
community to one in which people can live, play, work, and shop.
  As a result of this progress, Simi Valley today is a very different 
place than it was when I moved in nearly 28 years ago. Thankfully, the 
changes that have come have been positive and the qualities of the city 
that people enjoy most have been retained over the years.
  In the face of higher crime rates around the country, Simi Valley 
continues to be a very safe place to live and to raise a family. It 
continues to be a physically beautiful place, a picturesque valley 
surrounded by scenic mountains. And it continues to be a place where 
you not only know your neighbors, you consider them friends.
  With the recent opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, 
Simi Valley has become a destination point for both tourists from 
across the Nation and some of the leading figures from the political 
world.
  When this wide variety of visitors converge on Simi Valley they will 
recognize what long-time residents already know, that this city in 
eastern Ventura County--now 25 years old--has made dramatic progress 
over its short history while still retaining the qualities that make it 
very similar to the sleepy bedroom community that newcomers such as 
myself found so alluring all those years ago.

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