[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 31 (Wednesday, March 12, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E441]]
                              TRINITY LAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. WALLY HERGER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 12, 1997

  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, for the opportunity to testify in support of 
my legislation, H.R. 63, which proposes to redesignate Clair Engle Lake 
in northern California to its better known, common name of ``Trinity 
Lake.'' I appear today on behalf of the Trinity County Board of 
Supervisors and the residents of Trinity County, who have requested I 
introduce this legislation.
  Local support for this legislation is overwhelming. One poll, 
conducted by a local newspaper, showed an almost unanimous vote in 
favor of changing the lake's name to Trinity Lake. It has also been 
unanimously endorsed by the Trinity Board of Supervisors, who passed a 
resolution calling for this action in 1995.
  Since the reservoir was created by the construction of the Trinity 
Dam, locals have referred to it as ``Trinity Lake.'' It earned this 
name because of its location in Trinity County and its proximity to the 
Trinity Alps. Reference to the name ``Trinity Lake'' has been so 
attractive that it has been adopted by virtually every segment of the 
general public as well as local, State, and Federal authorities. It has 
been used extensively by the local tourist industry and public 
officials to promote the recreational aspects of the lake, since the 
name ``Trinity Lake'' creates stronger promotional imagery than does 
the name ``Clair Engle Lake.'' In fact, the Trinity Lake designation 
has become so pervasive that about the only people who don't refer to 
the lake as ``Trinity Lake'' are those nonresidents and tourists who 
have never been to the lake itself.
  Understandably, this has created a great deal of confusion for 
visitors to the lake and, consequently, has had a negative economic 
impact on the lake communities. by changing the name, my legislation 
will eliminate this confusion and enhance the benefits that the lake 
brings to Trinity County. Mr. Speaker, in view of the overwhelming 
sentiment in favor of this legislation, and the worthwhile objectives 
of eliminating confusion and enhancing economic benefits for Trinity 
County, I respectfully request the support and endorsement of this 
House of Representatives in answering the urgent plea of Trinity County 
residents by giving them back their lake through redesignation of Clair 
Engle Lake to its more popular name, ``Trinity Lake.''

                          ____________________