[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1605]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMENDING THE WORK OF FORT GUIJARROS MUSEUM FOUNDATION

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                           HON. DUNCAN HUNTER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 1996

  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
commend the work of the Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation and the U.S. 
Navy Submarine Base, San Diego. The foundation and the submarine base 
have brought history alive to the people of California.
  This effort began in 1980 when the U.S. Navy Commander, submarine 
force, U.S. Pacific Fleet invited a civilian volunteer committee to 
work with the submarine support facility to research the history of a 
1796 Spanish fort on Ballast Point. Since that time the committee has 
conducted scientific investigation, analysis, reports, and public 
exhibits on their findings.
  The foundation has established public education programs for our 
elderly and retired citizens. Through traveling exhibits to high 
schools, banks, and government buildings the foundation has brought 
hands-on history to our citizens. One particular exhibit in Old Town 
San Diego reaches 11,000 children each year. Further walking tours of 
the historical buildings, slide lectures, and education programs 
maximize use of the ruins of Fort Guijarros.
  In addition, the foundation has been analyzing the thousands of 
artifacts in former U.S. Army World War II buildings assigned by the 
U.S. Navy. Recently, congressional legacy grant funding enable adaptive 
reuse of the former Army morgue to a refrigerated repository to ensure 
preservation of the artifacts and field notes well beyond the year 
2000.
  Each year, the submarine force hosts the annual battle of San Diego 
Bay fiesta at Monument Circle near the Fort Guijarros site. This year 
the event will be held on September 21 and I would like to take this 
opportunity to commend the work of both the submarine force and the 
Fort Guijarros Museum Foundation. Many people have given their time and 
effort to this important project. In particular I would like to 
recognize Capt. Bruce Scott for his support in preserving this part of 
our history.
  I know my colleagues join me in recognizing the Fort Guijarros Museum 
Foundation and wish them continued success in the future.

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