[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO THE CITY OF CHOWCHILLA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to The City 
of Chowchilla. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the founding of 
Chowchilla, a thriving community in the County of Madera. Chowchilla is 
a productive and progressive community leading the way into the 21st 
Century.
  In 1912, Chowchilla began to emerge from a cattle ranch of 108,000 
acres to what would become a busy community rich in agriculture and 
commerce. In 1913, the conversion of the vast cattle ranch to 
diversified farming began. It was at this time when the first bank was 
started, the first school building was erected, and the first church 
was organized. A community newspaper was established and water was 
brought forth from 33 artesian wells.
  The year 1914 brought further growth to the city and its facilities 
when the Chowchilla Pacific Railroad was completed. Electroliers were 
installed on two streets for a distance of a mile. Shortly there after, 
the community held its first fair, founded the Woman's Improvement Club 
and organized the first baseball team.
  Today, The City of Chowchilla has grown to a population of 4,500 
people and is a thriving agriculture and manufacturing community whose 
grain, cotton and dairy products make the city a vital element of 
California's economy.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to the City of 
Chowchilla on its 75th Anniversary. Chowchilla is a flourishing 
agricultural and commercial community leading the way into the 21st 
Century. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing the City of 
Chowchilla many more years of success.

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