[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 13 (Wednesday, February 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           THE CITY CLUB OF SAN DIEGO: TWO REMARKABLE DECADES

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BOB FILNER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 5, 1997

  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 20th 
anniversary of the City Club of San Diego.
  Over the past 20 years, the City Club has become an integral part of 
San Diego--providing a public forum for nearly 500 programs presented 
in the highest public interest. These accomplishments have earned it 
the distinction as one of America's great public forums.
  The President and Vice President of the United States have appeared 
before the City Club. On six occasions, the Governor of California has 
spoken. The list of speakers presented represents a remarkable variety 
of individuals and opinions, from Jerry Falwell to Gloria Steinem, from 
Maureen Reagan to Tom Hayden, from Tom Wolfe to Anthony Lewis. Local, 
State, and national elected officials, journalists, ambassadors, 
judges, authors, bank officers, media broadcasters, professors, 
business and sports figures, and others have presented their ideas in 
the forum of the City Club. The speakers represent rich and varied 
professions, philosophies, and political views. Senator Joe Biden 
returns for his 7th appearance as the featured guest of the 20th 
anniversary celebration on February 8, 1997.
  In addition to the forums, the City Club has offered other special 
events: a national conference on immigration; another on press, libel, 
and American freedom; and a third on the state of our language. One of 
the City Club's most ambitious undertakings was a four-part series on 
leadership in San Diego, focusing on government, justice, finance, and 
the media.
  City Club events have been covered on C-SPAN, the local PBS radio 
station, and cable television systems. A debate between Republican 
candidates for the U.S. Senate was carried statewide on cable TV.
  The City Club has held fundraisers for other nonprofit organizations, 
including Habitat for Humanity, the National Conference of Christians 
and Jews, the San Diego Public Library, the United Negro College Fund, 
and the National Jewish Hospital. These efforts are notable, for it is 
highly unusual for one nonprofit organization to undertake fundraising 
for other similar groups.
  A lighter side of the City Club includes holiday parties, whale 
watching trips, theater evenings, a trip to the Nation's Capital, and 
Aspen ski trips--featuring programs with outstanding speakers as well 
as time on the slopes.
  George Mitrovich, the president of the City Club and prime mover 
behind its success, has stated: ``The ability of any democracy to 
survive, even in the United States, depends in no small degree upon the 
wisdom of its people--a wisdom that public forums help instill.''
  This is the mission of the City Club: to present an arena where the 
best ideas might prevail. On the joyous occasion of its 20th 
anniversary, I am honored to publicly recognize and honor the 
accomplishments of the City Club of San Diego.

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