[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1964]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      ACKNOWLEDGING THE COMPLETION OF THE SAN LEANDRO CREEK MURAL

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to inform my colleagues today 
about the completion of an important project in my district.
  The Friends of San Leandro Creek have completed work on a creek mural 
located in Root Park in my district. This mural spans more than 19,000 
square feet and is the largest of its type in the Western United 
States.
  Students participating in the San Leandro High School Art Program 
created the mural design. The students were presented with information 
about the history of the creek and a list of items to be included in 
the final design. The final mural depicts the Creek as it was in the 
early 18th century, filled with rainbow trout and fished by Native 
American tribes for food.
  I would like to point out the hard work of Rick Richards. Rick put 
this idea together and has been a longtime local activist for 
environmental causes and a tireless advocate for local community 
development issues that may impact the San Leandro Creek. Rick is the 
environmental conscious of the San Leandro community. I would also like 
to thank Veronica Lacarra Werkmeister for her dedication to this 
project. She is a nationally renowned muralist and her commitment to 
teaching children and this project has resulted in the works we 
commemorate this weekend.
  I am very proud to share this mural with my colleagues. The Friends 
of San Leandro Creek and the students at San Leandro High deserve 
credit for their commitment to this project and their commitment to San 
Leandro Creek. I look forward to visiting this mural after Congress 
adjourns and encourage residents of San Leandro to do the same.

                          ____________________