[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1455]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


    IN HONOR OF THE CRUSIN' HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES AT THE ROUTE 66 
                               RENDEZVOUS

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                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 12, 2000

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, the City of San Bernardino will be hosting its 
11th Annual Route 66 Rendezvous event downtown this month. The event is 
expected to draw over 500,000 classic car fans to the downtown, with 
2,448 prime classic cars at the event (the number of miles of the Route 
66 highway). I would like to salute the event's inductees into the 
Crusin' Hall of Fame, an impressive and truly remarkable collection of 
honorees this year:
   Mattel, in honor of the significant impact the company has 
made in the American Automotive culture with the development of the 
miniature vehicles ``Hot Wheels.''
  Mattel is known as a leader in the world of toy design, 
manufacturing, and marketing. Mattel introduced ``Hot Wheels'' 
miniature vehicles in 1968. The three-inch long cars and trucks reached 
out and captured children's imaginations. Mattel celebrated the 30th 
anniversary of ``Hot Wheels'' in 1998, and reached a milestone when 
they produced the two billionth Hot Wheel car, making Mattel the 
producer of more vehicles than Detroit's big three auto makers 
combined.
   The Beach Boys, a popular sixties and seventies band that 
popularized surfing and cruising music, in honor of the significant 
part their music plays in the American automotive culture.
  From Hawthorne, California, the three Beach Boy brothers--Brian, 
Dennis and Carl Wilson, plus cousin Mike Love and friend Al Jardine had 
some of the most intricate, beautiful harmonies heard from a pop band. 
Their music is still popular and can be heard on countless radio 
stations and car cruises around the nation.
   The J.C. Agajanian Family, a family with over fifty years in 
motorsports racing, in honor of their many significant contributions in 
the promotion, participation, and involvement in the American 
automotive culture.
  J.C. Agajanian, one of the most influential men in American 
motorsports history, is known for his involvement and many achievements 
in the motorsports world. In 1998, the Agajanians marked their 50th 
Golden Anniversary of promoting, participating, and involvement with 
the famed Indianapolis 500.
   The Woody, the hand-built ``sport utility vehicle'' of its 
day, in honor of the significant role this unique automobile played in 
the American Automotive culture.
  Since the sixties, these wagons have been popular collector's items. 
They are in such demand that old cars with splinters instead of wood 
are being lovingly restored and shown off at car shows and cruises 
throughout the United States.

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