[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 107 (Wednesday, September 13, 2000)]
[House]
[Pages H7548-H7562]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     CALIFORNIA'S SESQUICENTENNIAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Farr) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the California 
delegation, I submit the following statements relating to California's 
150th anniversary of Statehood.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
California's 150th Anniversary. This is a momentous occasion as we 
recognize the most populace and one of the most diverse states in the 
Union. With 52 Congressional Districts, each brings its own culture, 
tradition, attitude and history to the state.
  California's First Congressional District contains the finest wines, 
greatest fishing, and richest forests in our nation. From chardonnay to 
cabernet, the vineyards within the First District produce outstanding 
varietal wines. The 400 wineries use cutting-edge science with 
traditional techniques to provide wines of every type and vintage, for 
beginning tasters to advanced collectors.
  The Napa Valley Wine Auction, held each June, has become the largest 
and most successful charity wine auction in the world since its 
beginning in 1981. Hundreds of wine enthusiasts and auction-goers from 
across the nation, as well as a growing number of international guests, 
travel to participate in a gala weekend of tastings, dining, art shows, 
and auctions. As the auction has grown, along with the wines it 
showcases, it has raised millions of dollars for local health care. 
Sponsored by the Napa Valley Vintners Association, the auction has 
donated over $16 million to local charities, raising a record-breaking 
$9.5 million this year alone.
  North of the grapevines of Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino, Solano and Lake 
Counties, lie the magnificent Redwoods, which make their home in Del 
Norte, Humboldt and Mendocino counties. In the midst of large fishing 
and timber industries, these giant trees, some over 2,000 years of age 
and over 350 feet in height, annually attract over one million adults 
and children from around the world who stare in amazement at the 
enormity of the world's tallest trees. Redwood National Park, home to 
over 110,000 acres, was established in 1968 and expanded ten years 
later to protect the slow maturing redwoods.
  Fort Bragg, California is the setting for the Annual World's Largest 
Salmon BBQ, which is held on the July 4th weekend. This year 
commemorated the 29th anniversary of the event that benefits the local 
Salmon Restoration Association (SRA). Its goal is to replenish the once 
great numbers of salmon in the Northern California waters. Members of 
the SRA are joined by volunteers from across the region and help serve 
5,000 pounds of salmon, 5,000 ears of corn, 1,000 pounds of salad and 
850 loaves of French bread.
  The First Congressional District is also home to Solano County's 
Travis Air Force Base, which currently houses the largest airlift 
organization in the Air Force. Travis, established in 1942, is assigned 
to the 60th Air Mobility Wing, consisting of the 60th Operations, 
Logistics, Support, and Medical Groups. For 50 years, Travis has 
presented the Travis Air Expo, attracting more than 200,000 guests each 
year, who watch this two-day event featuring multiple performances by 
some of the world's top military, civilian and vintage aerial 
demonstrators. The Travis Air Expo has established itself as the 
premier military air show in Northern California.
  Mr. Speaker, these are just a few of the important events held in the 
First Congressional District that reflect the strength, character and 
integrity of our residents who represent the diversity of the entire 
state. It is appropriate at this time, Mr. Speaker, that we recognize 
and celebrate the birth of the great state of California.
  Mr. HERGER. Mr. Speaker, 150 years ago this past Saturday the state 
of California entered into the Union. I rise today to commemorate this 
anniversary, and to celebrate the resources and treasures of the 2nd 
congressional district.
  Historically, the great state of California is most often associated 
with the Gold Rush. Northern California was the main destination of 
those in search of quick wealth. The banks of the Feather River yielded 
great riches to those who were in the right place at the right time, 
but the precious metal that caused a rush to the West was not the only 
treasure that California possessed.
  Young settlers whose dreams had not materialized in the gold fields 
soon turned to the fertile Central Valley and envisioned golden acres 
of grain. Today those acres are covered with fruit trees, rice fields, 
and almond and walnut orchards, as the valley continues to yield its 
agricultural treasure, making California the leading agricultural 
economy in the world.
  Others looked at the golden promise in the vast forests. Their labor 
provided the lumber for the growing towns and cities of Northern 
California. A tremendous renewable resource to the American people, our 
forests provide materials for homes and businesses, as well as endless 
recreational opportunities and habitat for unique plant and animal 
species.
  Some entrepreneurs recognized that there were other ways to gather 
gold than simply panning in a streambed. They opened dry goods stores, 
banks and hotels. Women found that they could earn a living utilizing 
their household skills cooking and cleaning for miners who couldn't. 
California was born a land of golden opportunities and to this day she 
continues to call to those willing to take a risk in order to improve 
their own lives.
  Many came to California for only a visit, but stayed a lifetime. The 
specious skies, majestic mountains, and rushing rivers of Northern 
California stirred their souls, while her fertile valleys, gentle 
climate, and endless opportunities captured their imagination. Yes, 
gold fever may have lured early settlers here, but even though the 
stores of that precious metal have mostly given out, people still flock 
to California today.
  As a third generation Northern Californian, I am very proud of the 
beauty and resources of my native land. I am proud to celebrate the 150 
years that this jewel has been an important part of our great nation.
  Mr. OSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today representing California's Third 
Congressional District in celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the great 
state of California's admittance to the Union.
  California's Third District is one of the truly diverse regions of 
the country. The district stretches from Sacramento's urban, 
southwestern suburbs to the spacious northern country of Tehama, 
serving as a bridge between the flat agricultural lands of the upper 
Sacramento River Valley and the state's northern, timber-rich 
highlands. From East to West, the District lies between the majestic 
Sierra and Coastal Range.
  The roots of the Third District can be traced parallel to those of 
the state. On January 24th, 1848, James Marshall reached into the icy 
waters of the American River near Sacramento and found the first gold 
nugget. People from around the globe came to California in search of 
their dreams. By August of 1849, the City of Sacramento was born and 
nearly a year later, in September of 1850, the State of California was 
made into the 31st State.
  The Northern portion of the district is home to some of this 
country's most beautiful sites, including both the Lassen National Park 
and the Mendocino National Forest. The picturesque Sutter Buttes are 
considered the smallest mountain range in North America.
  Today, the District is one of the leading producers of agricultural 
crops, including an abundant production of rice, tomatoes, peaches, 
pears, almonds, pistachios and avocados. The Third District is also the 
home of the University of California at Davis, one of the leading 
research universities in the country.
  But most of all, what makes the Third District special are the people 
who reside in it. The tight-knit communities in counties like Butte, 
Colusa, Glenn, Sacramento, Solano, Sutter, Tehama and Yolo instill a 
strong sense of family values that will carry on through future 
generations.
  I am extremely proud to reside in and represent the Third 
Congressional District of California. It is with honor that I rise 
today to recognize the 150th anniversary of this Great State and our 
wonderful district.
  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize California's State 
Capitol, the great city of Sacramento, in celebration of the 150th 
anniversary of California's admission to the Union.
  Located in the heart of Northern California, the River City of 
Sacramento boasts a rich

[[Page H7549]]

blending of art and culture offering the comforts of a small town and 
the amenities of a growing metropolitan area. As the capitol of the 
sixth largest economy in the world, California, Sacramento is home to 
the world's largest almond processing plant, Blue Diamond and continues 
to rank as a major agricultural producer year after year. But while 
Sacramento has a thriving business community, the state legislature 
also claims Sacramento as its home base. The magnificent State Capital 
building alone attracts scores of world leaders, businessmen and women, 
school children and tourists alike.
  Helping to keep Sacramento's economy booming is its natural 
positioning as a gateway for industry. Located at the crossroads of the 
state's north-south and east-west trade routes, Sacramento is able to 
host a deep-water port and a major airport. The film industry is 
another enterprise attracted to Sacramento, but for different reasons. 
From gold-rush era store fronts to picture perfect Victorian homes to 
modern office buildings, Sacramento has lent itself as an aesthetically 
pleasing backdrop to a long list of cinema classics, most recently, The 
General's Daughter and Oscar Winner, American Beauty.
  Major league sports teams have also found a successful and welcoming 
home along the Delta. Two major league basketball teams, the Sacramento 
Kings and the Sacramento Monarchs play to sold out crowds in the Arco 
Arena. Most recently, Sacramento welcomed a new team, the Sacramento 
River Cats. A farm team for the Oakland A's, the River Cats play in a 
brand new stadium just 450 yards from Old Town Sacramento, bridging 
together Sacramento's colorful gold rush past with a new set of 
hometown heroes.
  Over the years, Sacramento has seen some significant firsts. The 
initial transcontinental railroad meeting between the ``Big Four'', 
Leland Stanford, Charles Crocker, Collis P. Hunington, and Mark Hopkins 
was held above a downtown hardware store in 1860. Also in 1860, the 
Pony Express began its 1,980-mile ten-day delivery service between St. 
Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento. And Tower Records, America's second 
largest record retailer got its start selling used jukebox records for 
10 cents each in a Sacramento drug store.
  Known for its many acclaimed historical points of interest such as 
Sutter's Fort and the Delta King, Sacramento is also respected for 
being an environmentally conscious community. With all that goes on in 
and around this city, one would hardly guess that Sacramento could brag 
about having more park space per capital than any other city in the 
nation. But it is true; this city has many more trees than people. One 
of the greatest success stories is the American River Parkway. 
Designated a natural preserve in 1960, the 32-mile long parkway is the 
first, and one of the few, riparian river habitat preservations within 
a major urban center. Its 7,000-acres offer opportunities for fishing, 
rafting, kayaking, hiking, and nature study. Clearly, residents of 
Sacramento have a great city to be proud of.
  With all that Sacramento has to offer, some like to think of 
Sacramento as California's best-kept secret. True, it is the ideal 
place to live and do business. But I like to think of it simply as 
home.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize California's 
Sesquicentennial. I am very proud to represent California's Sixth 
Congressional District. This district includes all of Marin and most of 
Sonoma County, the region north of the Golden Gate Bridge. The 
District, initially the home of Native American Tribes, has been under 
seven sovereign flags: England, Spain, Russia, Mexico, the Bear Flag 
Republic, California and the U.S.A.
  The Sixth Congressional District has been home to a wide variety of 
businesses and agricultural endeavors. Sonoma County recently earned 
3rd place in a nationwide Forbes magazine that ranked the best cities 
in which to do business. Since 1987, the area from Novato to Santa Rosa 
has earned the nickname ``Telecom Valley,'' for the large number of 
telecommunications companies that the area has produced. Marin and 
Sonoma Counties are also home to many other high-tech firms. In the 
agricultural arena, Sonoma County contains dozens of vineyards, 
wineries, and apple orchards. Both counties have a long and proud 
history of dairy and poultry farming.
  The Sixth Congressional District also has a rich musical and artistic 
history. From the Great Depression through the 1950s, the Russian River 
area of Sonoma County was the venue for Big Bands. The Kingston Trio 
began their career in Marin County in the 1950s. Their ownership of the 
Trident in Sausalito brought other famous and soon-to-be-famous to the 
country. In the 1960s, Marin resident Bill Graham's productions 
engendered poster art that defined much of the nation's art of that 
decade, just as his concerts defined the popular music and culture of 
the times. Today, Sonoma State University is building the Don and 
Maureen Green Music Center--a music, dance, and drama performance 
center on the level of Tanglewood, that will become an international 
destination for its summer festivals.
  Film arts in the District are highlighted by the Mill Valley Film 
Festival, long known as the springboard for new talents. The District 
has often been chosen as a filming location for such movies as Alfred 
Hitchcock's The Birds and Vertigo, as well as Star Wars and others. 
Marin County is also home to George Lucas, a frequent Oscar winner over 
the last several years.
  Sonoma and Marin counties' residents are notable for their 
environmental consciousness, and a look at the natural treasures of the 
District makes the reason obvious. The District is home to half of the 
Golden Gate National Recreation Area, the nation's most visited 
National Park; Point Reyes National Seashore; the breathtaking Russian 
River recreation area; plus several state and county parks; mountains 
and valleys; redwood groves and miles and miles of coastline. Truly, 
the Sixth Congressional District is a place we are all proud to call 
``home.''
  More information about California's Sixth Congressional District can 
be found in the Local Legacies collection at the American Folklife 
Center for the Library of Congress.
  Mr. Speaker, it is my great pleasure to pay tribute to the Sixth 
Congressional District in honor of California's Sesquicentennial. I am 
very proud to be representing such an accomplished and beautiful area 
of California in Congress. Happy 150th Birthday, California!
  Mr. GEORGE MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, California's 7th 
congressional district includes portions of Contra Costa and Solano 
Counties and is situated astride San Francisco Bay and the Sacramento 
River. Its economic, demographic and political history is deeply linked 
to its geography. Industry ranging from oil refining to shipping, an 
extensive Navy presence, and deep concerns about water quality and the 
environment--especially the protection of the Bay and the Sacramento-
San Joaquin Delta--have long been central features of the region. It is 
no accident that it was in Martinez, the Contra Costa County seat, 
Sierra Club founder John Muir resided and wrote his tracts that 
transformed our view of natural resource protection.
  The 7th district is also the site of significant national historical 
events from the era of World War II. At the site of the former Port 
Chicago Naval Weapons Magazine (currently the Concord Naval Weapons 
Station), the largest domestic loss of life during World War II 
occurred on July 17, 1944 when over 320 men, most of whom were black, 
were killed in a cataclysmic explosion. The subsequent refusal of black 
sailors, who were the subject of discrimination, to resume the loading 
of munitions led to the largest court martial in Navy history and a 
landmark civil rights case that helped facilitate President Truman's 
decision to integrate the armed forces later in the decade. Congress 
designated the site of the explosion as the Port Chicago National 
Memorial in 1992. In December of 1999, after a long effort I led with 
other lawmakers, activists, and veterans, President Clinton issued a 
Presidential pardon to Mr. Freddie Meeks of Los Angeles, one of the 
last remaining men who was court-martialed more than half a century 
ago.
  Richmond, California, on the 7th district's west side, was a small 
city when World War II began and the Kaiser Shipyards were created to 
build the Liberty and Victory ships that supported the war effort. Tens 
of thousands of new workers--including many minorities and women--
ballooned the local population and created the legendary ``Rosie the 
Riveter'' image. Together with providing women previously unavailable 
jobs in industrial plants, Richmond served as the epicenter of dramatic 
changes in American life that were to affect generations including 
racial and gender integration of the workplace, group health services 
and expansive child care. Congress is now completing action on my 
legislation to create a National Historic Site to commemorate the rich 
history of Richmond's contributions to ending WWII and changing our 
society forever.
  Those historic changes continue today with the conversion of the 
former century-old Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo to civilian 
uses including environmental protection and local economic development. 
The 7th district has an historic past and today is a critical part of 
the San Francisco Bay Area's economic, environmental, cultural and 
communications life.
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, this past Saturday marked the 150th 
anniversary of the entry of the State of California into the United 
States. I rise today to recognize this important date and to bring to 
the attention of my colleagues the important contribution of the 
Presidio of San Francisco to the history of the Eighth Congressional 
District and to the State of California as a whole.
  The Presidio has overlooked San Francisco Bay since the United States 
came into existence. Built in 1776 by the Spanish Empire in North 
America, the military outpost of the Presidio was created after the 
great inland harbor of San Francisco was discovered during colonizing 
expeditions. The Presidio was briefly

[[Page H7550]]

under the control of the newly independent Republic of Mexico starting 
in 1821, but was finally transferred to American control by treaty in 
1848.
  In many ways, the history of the Presidio has mirrored the events 
that shaped our nation. During the 1870's and 1880's, the Presidio 
served as a frontier outpost, from which soldiers saw action in the 
Indian Wars. San Franciscans are proud of the service at the Presidio 
during this time of the Buffalo Soldiers, all Black-regiments 
established to help rebuild the country after the Civil War and to 
patrol the western frontier.
  By the turn of the century, the Presidio shifted from an outpost to a 
major military installation and a base for American expansion into the 
Pacific. In 1898, tens of thousands of American soldiers camped at the 
Presidio in preparation for the invasion of the Philippines during the 
Spanish American War. In 1915, General John Pershing, later to become 
the commander of U.S. expeditionary forces in World War I, led the 
pursuit into Mexico of Pancho Villa from the Presidio. The Presidio 
became headquarters for the Western Defense Command during action in 
the Pacific in World War II, and soldiers began digging foxholes in 
local beaches in anticipation of a possible invasion.
  Playing a significant role in the preservation of nature, the 
Presidio's role in the San Francisco Bay Area transcends its military 
roots. As far back as the 1880's, the first large-scale tree planting 
and post beautification projects were undertaken at the Presidio. The 
building of the Golden Gate Bridge from 1933 to 1937 increased the 
public use of the Presidio. The Presidio was designated a National 
Historic Landmark in 1962. From that time to its eventual closure as a 
military base in 1989, and its transfer in 1994, thanks to the 
visionary actions of Philip Burton, to the National Park Service, the 
significance of the Presidio has shifted from a strategically important 
military base to a gem in the National Park system and an integral part 
of California's landscape and history.
  Today, the Presidio continues to reflect the changing priorities of 
our nation. In a change reflecting a swords-to-plowshares approach, the 
former military installation at the Presidio has become a national park 
like no other. Surrounded by dense neighborhood in San Francisco, the 
Presidio is now an urban oasis of open space that preserves a critical 
habitat for some rare and endangered species. The Presidio contains an 
incredible assortment of recreational, cultural, and natural resources 
that makes it a top destination for visitors to San Francisco and a 
well-loved and visited site for the City's residents. Fittingly, the 
Presidio has also become home to a Swords-to-Plowshares program which 
helps veterans re-assimilate into civilian society through job 
training, housing assistance, and counseling.
  Mr. Speaker, the Presidio of San Francisco, with its proximity to the 
Golden Gate Bridge and the California Coastline, its beautiful forests 
and unique ecology, and especially its role in the development of 
California, deserves recognition for its place in the history of the 
Golden State. I am proud to recognize this contribution and to honor 
the Great State of California on its sesquicentennial anniversary.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to commemorate the 
Sesquicentennial of California's statehood. One hundred and fifty years 
ago, California became the 31st state in the union. It is my great 
privilege to represent the Ninth District of California, which has 
played a vital role in the history, economy, and culture of this 
wonderful state.
  The Ninth District has a rich history of its own in the last 150 
years. Home to the City and Port of Oakland and the University of 
California at Berkeley, this East Bay area offers ethnic diversity, 
intellectual ferment, and economic vitality, and has made a wide array 
of contributions to science, technology, literature, the arts, and 
business.
  Oakland emerged as a major commercial and transportation center in 
the heyday of the California Gold Rush of 1849. It became a crucial 
transit point from the San Francisco Bay to Sutter's Mill and the 
Sierra Nevada foothills. Oakland dramatically expanded after the tragic 
San Francisco earthquake of 1906 as Californians sought firmer ground. 
The city again ballooned upward in population during the Second World 
War, when thousands of Americans came to the District to work in the 
busy shipyards, the Oakland Army Base, and the Naval Air Station in 
Alameda.
  As the city grew, so did its commitment to progressive activism. 
Individuals such as Cotrell Lawrence Dellums, a Pullman porter and a 
Bay area representative for the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, 
began organizing fellow African-Americans to join the union in 1925, 
when Oakland was still strongly linked to the passenger rails. As the 
head of the Alameda County NAACP, he helped the AFL-CIO consolidate its 
membership by delivering the support of Black railroad workers and 
members of the NAACP, and was among the first to organize voter 
registration campaigns in the district.
  C.L. Dellums' spirit of activism has remained alive in California's 
District Nine throughout the years, demonstrated by minority groups 
organizing to demand equality, the student anti-war protests at the 
University of California, and working men and women joining together to 
demand better working conditions.
  Two-time Socialist Party Candidate for Mayor and ``Call of the Wild'' 
author Jack London called Oakland his home for nearly thirty years. 
From that city, London wrote many of his vivid evocations of the Far 
North. The East Bay's sometimes chilly climate may have helped inspire 
some of his more picturesque depictions of life in the Yukon. Nor was 
London the only cultural icon to grace Oakland's streets: Robert Louis 
Stephenson, and Gertrude Stein both lived in Oakland, and all enriched 
our literary heritage. Today, Jack London Square bears Oakland's famous 
son's name, such an important part of the city that is standing at the 
waterfront.
  As a sea, air and rail port, Oakland is at the hub of California 
trade. The maritime port stretches across nineteen miles of San 
Francisco Bay. One of the largest ports on the West Coast, the Port of 
Oakland is today second only to New York in terms of container terminal 
space. It is the primary sea terminal connecting the western United 
States of Asia, South America, and Europe. Like the seaport, the 
airport also represents a crucial link in the chain of intrastate, 
interstate, and international commerce. The Oakland Airport was also 
the starting point in 1937 for Amelia Earhart's ill-fated round-the-
world flight.

  In addition to its role in transportation, the Ninth District also 
plays a leading role in the nation's academic life. The University of 
California is one of the finest academic institutions in the country. 
It was born out of the heady spirit of California's 1849 gold rush. In 
that year, the authors of the State Constitution demanded that the 
legislature ``encourage by all suitable means the promotion of 
intellectual, scientific, moral and agricultural improvement'' of the 
people of California. The gold rush may have played out, but the 
university that was eventually created at Berkeley has uncovered a rich 
vein of ideas. Today, the University of California ranks among the top 
universities in the world.
  The historic landmarks in this district include the Camron-Stanford 
House, Dunsmuir House, Mills Hall located on the Mills College campus, 
the Paramount Theatre, the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-12), the several buildings 
designed by architects Julia Morgan and Bernard Maybeck. Additional 
landmarks in the district include the C.L. Dellums Train Station, the 
just-opened Chabot Observatory and Science Center, Children's Fairyland 
(Walt Disney's blueprint for Disneyland), Jack London Square, Lake 
Merritt, Lawrence Hall of Science, Oakland's Chinatown, and the Ronald 
V. Dellums Federal Building.
  In recent history, our district is experiencing increased growth of 
``dot coms,'' biotechnology research centers and hi-technology 
companies such as Bayer, Chiron, Sybase and Wind River.
  Four of our annual events were recently placed as a ``Local Legacy'' 
as a centerpiece of the Library of Congress' Bicentennial celebration. 
These events are the Solano Stroll, Dia de los Muertos, the Black 
Cowboys Parade and the Festival of Greece. I am proud that these events 
are recognized by the Library of Congress as a local legacy.
  With a century and a half of history behind it, California now stands 
at the brink of a new century and a new millennium. Its gold-rush 
inspired state motto is ``Eureka,'' a Greek word proclaiming discovery. 
As we move forward into the future, we must continue to celebrate our 
diversity, remember our past, and refute Gertrude Stein's famous 
Oakland lament that ``there was no there there.'' There is a there, 
there, and for a hundred and fifty years there has been.
  Mrs. TAUSCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 
Sesquicentennial of California's admission into the Union as the 
nation's 31st state on September 9, 1850. California's 10th 
Congressional District has been instrumental in the state's history. In 
the 1800s, my district had a strong connection with the Old West, 
populated by Americans during California's Gold Rush and a center for 
miners. The 10th Congressional District became one of the main routes 
to the gold fields and quickly became a mercantile stopover for miners 
seeking their fortune in the Mother Lode.
  Many of those miners purchased land in this beautiful area. In 1854 
Daniel and Andrew Inman founded Danville when they bought 400 acres 
with their mining earnings. By 1858 the new Danville community grew and 
thrived, complete with a blacksmith, hotel, wheelwright, general store, 
and a post office.
  The City of Lafayette was well known throughout California in the 
early 1860 as a stop for the Pony Express from April 3, 1860 to late 
October 1861. The 200-mile trail served as the fastest mail delivery 
between St. Joseph, Missouri and Sacramento, California.

[[Page H7551]]

  The Town of Moraga was named for Joaquin Moraga, the grandson of 
Joseph Joaquin Moraga who was the second in command of the Anza 
Expedition of 1776, the founder of San Francisco, Mission Delores and 
the founder and first commandant of the Presidio. In 1835, he received 
a 13,316-acre land grant from the Mexican government, which included 
parts of Orinda and Lafayette. On a hill overlooking the Moraga Valley, 
Joaquin Moraga built an adobe home, thought to be the oldest building 
in Contra Costa County.
  Today the 10th Congressional District maintains its historic roots 
combining clusters of narrow roads and early buildings with 21st 
Century high technology office parks. The citizens in the 10th 
Congressional District are among the highest skilled and educated 
workforce in the nation. While they are at the epicenter of the high-
tech economy, they are also committed historic preservation and 
protecting the natural physical environment in one of the nation's more 
desirable places to live. The 10th Congressional District is committed 
to preserving its past and looking forward to the next one hundred-
fifty years as a part of this great nation.
  Mr. POMBO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my fellow delegates to 
celebrate and honor the 150th birthday of the great state of 
California.
  I have the honor of representing the 11th district of California, 
which includes the San Joaquin County cities of Stockton and Lodi. Each 
has played a dynamic part in the historic and economic development of 
the Golden State.
  The town of Lodi was settled by families of German descent from North 
Dakota. It first served as a railroad stop known as Mokelumne Station 
in 1869, which was renamed to Lodi three years later. Formally the 
``Watermelon Capital,'' Lodi today is known as the ``Wine grape 
Capital'' of the world. This booming town of over 50,000 residents is 
home to the Tokay Grape and over 40,000 acres of vineyards. Some of 
California's finest wineries are located in nearby Woodbridge and 
Acampo.
  Stockton is the backbone of California's agricultural hub and home to 
nearly 250,000 residents. It is our state's largest inland shipping 
port, which sends the San Joaquin Valley's farm products to the open 
market. Thanks to its rich soil and temperate climate, Stockton is one 
of the most productive growing areas in California. Major crops include 
asparagus, cherries, tomatoes, walnuts and almonds. Stockton is also 
home to the University of the Pacific, a charming campus known for its 
programs in law and pharmacy. Stockton has historically been a 
multicultural city. Older generations of families from Europe and 
Mexico are being joined by new arrivals from South East Asia and 
Central America. In 1999, Stockton was awarded the ``All American 
City'' award by the National Civic League.
  Mr. Speaker, it is indeed a great honor to be a life long native of 
the 11th district and to represent it today in the Congress. The 11th 
is one of the most diverse culturally and economically. But together, 
its people serve an important role in the economy of both California 
and America. I am pleased to join my delegates today in celebrating the 
Sesquicentennial of the Golden State.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues from the golden State 
of California in marking the 150th anniversary of statehood.
  It was 50 years ago--in the summer of 1950 when California celebrated 
the centennial of its admission to the Union--that my new bride and I 
moved to the San Francisco Bay Area. And it was half a century ago that 
Annette and I began our connection with the part of our state that is 
now the 12th Congressional District. In the fall of 1950, I began my 
studies as a graduate student in economics at the University of 
California, Berkeley, and at the same time I began teaching at San 
Francisco State University. When we arrived in California, it had a 
population of 10.6 million. Today, Mr. Speaker, our state's population 
has reached 33.1 million--1 out of every 8 Americans is a Californian.
  As we mark 150 years of statehood, it is instructive to look both to 
our historic past, but at the same time to look to the future, and 
California and the 12th Congressional District was as important in 
shaping our nation's past as it is today in leading the way toward our 
nation's future.
  Mr. Speaker, in the mid-19th century, the Bay Area was the principal 
gateway to the California gold rush. In 1847--with the Mexican War 
still underway, two years before of the influx of the gold miners of 
1849, and three years before California's admission to the Union--San 
Francisco had a population of 459 people, half of whom were U.S. 
citizens. Three years later on July 1, 1850, the U.S. Census Bureau 
reported that the population of San Francisco was 94,766, and at that 
same time, 626 vessels were anchored in the San Francisco Bay.
  When California became a State, the legislature established San 
Francisco County, but with the explosive growth of the area just six 
years later in 1856, it was necessary to create the new county of San 
Mateo from the southern part of San Francisco County. After the initial 
chaos of the early years of the gold rush, the growth of these two 
counties was more orderly but still robust.
  San Mateo County was given a boost by the tragedy of the massive 1906 
San Francisco earthquake, when thousands of displaced and terrified 
residents fled the city and encamped in what became Daly City. As the 
Bay Area developed, San Mateo County likewise grew as a cluster of 
communities--each filled with growing numbers of Irish, Italian, Greek, 
and Asian-Americans moved to the suburbs from ``the City.'' Each of 
these cities developed its own unique character and flavor, and each 
has contributed to the diversity and cohesion of our area.
  Today--a century and a half after California became our nation's 31st 
state--the 12th Congressional District continues to reflect the rich 
diversity of our past and the golden hope for our state and our 
nation's future. Two elements strike me as particularly significant in 
this regard, Mr. Speaker.
  First, the 12th Congressional District reflects the ethnic complexity 
of California and of the nation. As The Los Angeles Times (September 8) 
noted, ``The Gold Rush was a defining moment in the nation's history, a 
remarkable, virtually overnight influx of people from every quarter of 
the world.'' In many ways that influx of a diverse population a century 
and a half ago established the pattern of our state. Ethnic diversity 
is not just a concept in our area, it is a daily reality.
  One quarter of our population in the 12th Congressional District are 
Asian--Chinese, Filipino, South Asian, Japanese, Southeast Asian and 
others. Over an eighth of our population is Hispanic with a smaller 
population of African Americans. A recent article in the San Francisco 
Examiner on Daly City referred to this diversity in praising the 
mixture of ``Spanish, Tagalog and Hindi'' heard in the city's markets, 
and noted that ``ethnic diversity is a source of pride for the 
community as reflected in its integrated neighborhoods.'' As the State 
of California moves from a majority white to a ``majority minority'' 
population and as our nation's population becomes increasingly diverse, 
the 12th Congressional District is a harbinger of the benefits of a 
harmonious, ethnically diverse community.
  Mr. Speaker, this is not to say that tolerance and multi-ethnic 
harmony has always been the case in our state. California, as the rest 
of the nation, has had its share of discrimination and racism. Chinese 
and other Asians suffered harassment and intimidation during the era of 
the Chinese Exclusion Act. During World War II, tens of thousands of 
American citizens of Japanese ancestry were sent to relocation camps. 
Hispanic-Americans have faced discrimination for using Spanish and 
maintaining their national cultures. But we have learned, we have made 
progress, and we continue to struggle with the complications of 
diversity.
  Mr. Speaker, a second element is the importance of the Peninsula and 
of San Francisco in our state and our nation's economy. A century and a 
half ago, panning for gold made a few people rich quickly, but those 
who made the real contribution to our state and our nation's economy as 
well as real wealth for themselves were the individuals who brought the 
entrepreneurial spirit which gave rise to such legendary businesses as 
Levi Strauss, Ghiradelli chocolate, and the Wells Fargo Bank.
  A century and a half ago, Gold was discovered at Sutter's fort on 
January 24, 1848, but the first newspaper story about the discovery to 
appear in a newspaper in the eastern United States was only published 
eight months later in the New York Herald on August 19. When California 
was formally admitted as a State to the Union on September 9, 1850, it 
required six weeks for the steamer bearing the banner ``California is a 
State'' to arrive in San Francisco. The celebration of statehood in 
California did not take place until October 29--a full 50 days after 
statehood was a reality. Today, California is in the forefront of the 
instantaneous communication revolution, as Internet communication and 
e-commerce led by firms in Silicon Valley and San Francisco 
revolutionize the way the entire world communicates.
  Today, Mr. Speaker, we continue to have an ebullient economy in the 
Bay Area, and this is an important element of our state's contribution 
to the entire nation. As our distinguished Governor Gray Davis said 
recently: ``We're experiencing a second Gold Rush. People came here 150 
years ago to find their fortune, and the dot-com economy is bringing 
another generation of risk takers and entrepreneurs. All this energy 
and vitality helps drive our economy and makes for the robust society 
we currently enjoy'' (San Jose Mercury News, September 9). Today 
legendary companies in the 12th Congressional District such as Oracle 
in the information technology sector and Genentech in the biotech 
sector are leading the nation in creativity and innovation.

[[Page H7552]]

  Mr. Speaker, it is important today that we not only mark a century 
and a half of California's statehood with celebration and 
congratulation, but that we also use this opportunity to reflect upon 
how our past has shaped our present and how the decisions we take today 
will determine our future. If we commit ourselves to continue and 
strengthen the best of our state's traditions, we can assure that the 
future for our children and grandchildren will be even more golden than 
our past.
  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge California's 
historic 150th birthday celebration. California officially entered the 
United States on September 9, 1850 but the foundations for the 
development of California were in place well before this important 
date. Under the Spanish Empire, the colonization and eventual 
settlement of California was greatly influenced by the mission system. 
The missions were founded to secure Spain's claim to land and to teach 
the native people Christianity and the Spanish way of life. The 
placement of the missions had a direct impact on the development of 
California, as the missions fostered agriculture, vintnering, livestock 
raising, and trade as well as religion.
  I am proud to recognize Mission San Jose, a historical mission in 
Fremont, California and part of the 13th Congressional District. 
Mission San Jose was founded on June 11, 1797, by Father Fermin 
Francisco de Lausen. The mission was the fourteenth of the twenty-one 
Spanish Missions in California and was one of the most prosperous of 
all the California missions. Mission San Jose was the center of 
industry and agriculture; its location was chosen for the abundance of 
natural resources in this region.
  In 1868, a giant earthquake shattered the walls and roof the Mission 
San Jose church. The site was cleared and a wood Gothic-style church 
was erected directly over the original red tiled mission floor. In 
1956, the town of Mission San Jose incorporated with four others to 
become the City of Fremont. Plans to reconstruct the church of Mission 
San Jose were begun in 1973. Mission San Jose stands today as a 
testament to California's history and the influence of the Spanish as 
part of California's rich heritage.
  As we commemorate the Sesquicentennial anniversary of California, I 
am proud to recognize Mission San Jose and the part it has played in 
the history of California.
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th 
anniversary of the State of California and the innovations of its 14th 
Congressional District. California has numerous historical landmarks, 
but only one is a garage in Palo Alto where the technological 
revolution was born. A plaque proclaims this The Birthplace of Silicon 
Valley.
  In 1938, William R. Hewlett and David Packard rented a garage to 
found a fledgling electronic business and it was here that they 
produced their first commercial audio oscillator, an instrument that 
generates audio frequencies used by the broadcast and entertainment 
industries to test sound quality. Orders soon began to pour in from 
companies such as Walt Disney, and the Hewlett-Packard Company was 
born.
  By the end of 1939, sales had soared to almost $5,000 a year, and 
Hewlett-Packard was forced to abandon the garage for more spacious 
quarters to house their rapidly expanding company. Within 20 years 
Hewlett-Packard was manufacturing over 370 electronic products and in 
1972, H-P introduced the first of its hand-held calculators which would 
cement the company's place in the forefront of the electronics 
industry. The company, of course, also manufactures computers and by 
1994, H-P's sales in computer products, service, and support were 
almost $20 billion, or about 78% of its total business.
  The garage where Hewlett-Packard began still remains and is a 
reminder of how great inventions and companies can spring from humble 
origins. The 14th Congressional District has become the heart of a 
booming technological revolution that continues to change the world in 
which we live and expand the boundaries of human and scientific 
accomplishment. I'm proud to represent this distinguished district and 
I ask my colleagues, Mr. Speaker, to join me in honoring the 150th 
anniversary of the State of California.
  Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. Speaker, a leader in the U.S. and global economy, 
California--in particular, Silicon Valley--is an economic powerhouse. 
From the quicksilver mercury mines to the high-tech computer industry, 
as is the case with California as a whole, Silicon Valley has a rich, 
diverse history. As we turn to celebrate the 150th anniversary of 
California's statehood, we are prompted to reflect upon our region's 
natural wealth and, most importantly, to reflect upon the spirit of its 
people. Mr. Speaker, as I rise to pay tribute to the Golden State's 
sesquicentennial, I wish to honor those Californians, past and present, 
whose dedication and ingenuity have made this state one of which I am 
proud to represent in Congress.
  Silicon Valley's first inhabitants, the Ohlone Indians, discovered 
one of the original and richest mines in California. The discovery of 
the red ore of mercury (dubbed ``mohetka'' by the Ohlones), however, 
quickly changed the face of the region. It also impacted the rest of 
California, as the mercury discovery favorably contributed to the 
success of gold and silver mining. Andres Castillero, a Mexican cavalry 
officer, was the first to file a legal claim to the mineral deposit, 
and was granted title, during the mid-1800s. Following the Mexican-
American war and California's entry into the United States, the 
Quicksilver Mining Company assumed management of the mines in 1864. 
Like his successors, Samuel Butterworth, first President of the 
Quicksilver Mining Company, did much to initiate early development of 
today's Silicon Valley. During his tenure at the Company, seven hundred 
buildings were constructed to support the quicksilver mining community 
including a company store, schoolhouse, boarding house, a community 
center, and church.
  Although the bonanza days of quicksilver production are over, and 
only a few landmarks remain, the century of mercury production and the 
hard work of early miners have left an indelible mark on California. 
The same entrepreneurial spirit, which led to the early economic 
development of California, can still be found in Silicon Valley today. 
Two recent pioneers, Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce, paved the way for the 
region becoming a global leader in the high-tech computer industry by 
inventing the integrated circuit.
  It seems that the integrated circuit was destined to be developed. 
Two inventors, unbeknownst to each other, both designed almost 
identical integrated circuits at roughly the same time. From 1958 to 
1959, electrical engineers Robert Noyce, co-founder of the Fairchild 
Semiconductor Corporation, and Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments, were 
working on an answer to the same dilemma: how to make more of less. In 
designing a complex electronic machine like a computer, it was 
necessary to increase the number of components involved in order to 
make technical advances. The monolithic (i.e., formed from a single 
crystal) integrated circuit placed the previously separated 
transistors, resistors, capacitors and connecting wiring onto a single 
crystal (or ``chip'') made the semiconductor material. Kilby used 
germanium, while Noyce used silcon to create the semiconductor 
material.
  As a result of their novel research, in 1959, U.S. patents were 
issued to Jack Kilby (awarded the 1970 National Medal of Science) and 
Texas Instruments for miniaturized electronic circuits and to Robert 
Noyce (the founder of Intel) and Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation 
for a silicon-based integrated circuit. After several years of legal 
battles, however, Texas Instruments and Fairchild Semiconductor 
Corporation wisely decided to cross-licence their technologies. The 
first commercially available integrated circuits were manufactured by 
Fairchild Semiconductor Corporation in 1961. In the same year, Texas 
Instruments used the ``chip'' technology in Air Force computers and 
later to produce the first electronic portable calculator. Since then, 
all computers have begun to employ ``chips'' instead of individual 
transistors and their accompanying parts.
  Like Silicon Valley's economy, the development of the integrated 
circuit has undergone tremendous change. The original circuit had only 
one transistor, three resistors and one capacitor--it was the size of 
an adult's pinkie finger. Today's integrated circuit is smaller than a 
penny and holds 125 million transistors. The industry generates 
approximately $1 trillion annually, and ``chip'' technology is 
considered one of the most important innovations of humankind.
  The one thing that has not changed in Silicon Valley: the 
independent, entrepreneurial spirit of its citizens. Mr. Speaker, as we 
recognize California on its 150th anniversary, I want to pay tribute to 
those Californians, especially the native Ohlone Indians, and to Mr. 
Butterworth, Mr. Kilby, and Mr. Noyce, who have made invaluable 
contributions to the prosperity of this state and to its people.
  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, today I proudly pay tribute to California 
on its 150th birthday. I would like to congratulate the great state of 
California and to recognize the Sixteenth District for its 
contributions to California's rich history.
  Mr. Speaker, the history of California begins long before the 
introduction of Europeans to our land. For centuries the Ohlone, 
locally the Muwekma, lived in peace and in tranquility along the banks 
of the Guadalupe River in what has since become the city of San Jose. 
But centuries of peaceful existence for the Muwekma came to an end 
when, on November 29, 1797, Spanish Lieutenant Jose Juaquin Moraga 
established the Pueblo de San Jose de Guadalupe. Created for the 
purpose of supplying the presidios of San Francisco and Monterey with 
food, the Pueblo became the first civil settlement in California.
  The Pueblo was originally located one mile north of what is now 
downtown San Jose, but

[[Page H7553]]

due to flooding by the Guadalupe River, the Pueblo was forced to move 
south. With its fertile soil, the new location quickly became a center 
for agriculture. The rich harvests of the fields attracted settlers, 
causing the population of the area to rise quickly and steadily.
  The rapid growth and development of this area marked an important 
time in California's history. By 1798 the Pueblo was so widely 
populated that its inhabitants constructed a one story, adobe Town Hall 
to meet the citizens' needs. The Hall housed the jail, courtroom, 
council chamber, and the offices of various governing officials.
  One such official--Luis Peralta, an Apache Indian from Tubac, Mexico, 
was particularly influential in California's development and growth. At 
the age of sixteen Peralta came to California with two hundred and 
forty other colonists on the Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition from 
Mexico. In 1807 the Spanish government appointed him to the position of 
Comisionado del Pueblo de San Jose, and during his tenure he helped to 
shape the growth of the Pueblo and the surrounding area. His endeavors 
in furnishing troop supplies, supervising public works, and keeping the 
peace earned him good favor in the eyes of the Spanish government. In 
1820 Spain granted Peralta 44,000 acres of land, the largest land grant 
of the time. The grant included the present day cities of Albany, 
Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Alameda, Piedmont, and parts of San 
Leandro. Peralta split the land between his four sons: Vincente, 
Doming, Antonio and Ignacio; they went on to develop and populate the 
land.
  Thanks to the development of the Pueblo and the areas surrounding, 
this area has continued to grow and flourish through present times. It 
continues to contribute to California's economy as a center for high 
tech and manufacturing companies as the ``Capitol of Silicon Valley,'' 
and ranks second as a national leader in exports. Mr. Speaker, again I 
would like to congratulate the people of California's Sixteenth 
District for their influence on the history and prosperity of the 
state.
  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise to congratulate California on its 150th anniversary. I would like 
to take this opportunity to mark the contributions of California's 17th 
district to California's rich history.
  As the site of the Constitutional Convention in 1849, the city of 
Monterey played a pivotal role in California's admittance to the Union 
as our 31st state. But, the Monterey region also has a rich history 
that extends back several millennia before people from around the globe 
landed on its shores in the 16th century. Native Americans enjoyed an 
abundance of natural resources as early as 500 BC.
  Monterey was later discovered by Spain on November 17, 1542 when Juan 
Cabrillo spotted La Bahia de los Pinos (Bay of Pines). It wasn't until 
60 years later, in 1602, that Sebastian Viscaino officially named the 
region ``Monterey'' to honor the Viceroy of New Spain who had 
authorized his expedition.
  The Peninsula was first settled in 1770 when Gaspar de Portola and 
Father Junipero Serra arrived by land and sea to establish the City of 
Monterey itself. Monterey began its renown as the fiscal, military, and 
social center of Mexican California when Spain chose the city as the 
capital of Baja and Alta California in 1776. In the decades that 
followed, the settlers began to leave the Presidio and expand 
throughout Monterey.
  After Mexico's secession from Spain in 1822, Monterey flourished as 
Mexico opened up the region to international trade never allowed under 
Spanish rule and designated Monterey as California's sole port of 
entry. This booming trade also attracted American settlers to the 
Peninsula, many of whom eventually became Mexican citizens.
  However, on July 2, 1846, Commodore John D. Sloat arrived in Monterey 
Bay, raised the American flag and claimed California for the United 
States. The Commodore waited five days before, on July 7, 1846, he 
finally sent 250 soldiers to land and take possession of the city. 
Monterey was captured without a single shot being fired. The American 
occupation lasted until the signing of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo 
in 1848, thus making all of Alta California part of the United States.
  As the most prominent city in the region, Monterey was the obvious 
selection as the site for California's Constitutional Convention in 
1849. For six weeks 48 delegates of diverse backgrounds met in Colton 
Hall in downtown Monterey to debate and vote on the final text. The 
constitution was signed on October 13, 1849, and president Millard 
Filmore officially welcomed California as our 31st state in 1850.
  As the birthplace of American California, the city of Monterey is 
proud of its contributions to California's statehood. Further, I am 
proud to congratulate California on its sesquicentennial anniversary.
  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, as the Great State of California celebrates 
its sequiscentennial, I would like to recognize the very fine people I 
have the privilege of representing in the 18th Congressional District.
  Located in California's great Central Valley, it is recognized as one 
of the richest agricultural areas in the world and represents some of 
our nation's finest resources. Comprising all of Stanislaus and Merced 
Counties and portions of San Joaquin, Madera, and Fresno counties, the 
18th District is within a few hours of all of California's riches, with 
Merced County being the ``Gateway to Yosemite'' National Park.
  Many of the first settlers to the area attracted by gold. Today it is 
affordable housing, good jobs and the California climate that lure many 
of the newcomers. I am proud of report the first research university of 
the new millennium will be built by the University of California in 
Merced as we pave new paths and start new journeys into a golden 
tomorrow.
  I would be remiss however if I didn't accurately point to the richest 
of our resources--the people who call the 18th Congressional District 
home. Within its boundaries are a people tightly woven together by a 
rich cultural tapestry. Our strength is found in the diversity of our 
poeple--proud, independent and full of character.
  Like the pioneers who once settled our great state, these people 
embody the same spirit of adventure that will lead California into a 
prosperous future.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I stand today with my fellow delegates 
in celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the State of California.
  As you know, California was admitted into the union as the nation's 
31st state 150 years ago. Since that time, our state has developed into 
a capital of the arts, a headquarters for business, and a distinguished 
marketplace for agriculture.
  Mr. Speaker, I represent the 19th District of California, which 
spreads across the farm country below the Sierra foothills from 
Visalia, south of Fresno, to the mountainous Mariposa County. Most of 
the landmass I represent is part of the Sierra Nevada, and it contains 
most of three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia. I am 
truly honored and privileged to represent an area so rich in splendor 
and American history.
  Fresno, for example, is a city of both agricultural and industrial 
importance in California. A creation of the industrial age, Fresno was 
founded by the Central Pacific Railroad. Its city fathers also bred the 
local wine grape, developed the raisin industry, and cultivated the 
Smyrna fig. Now, Fresno County's crops also include cotton, citrus, 
tomatoes, cantaloupes, plums, peaches, and alfalfa. In fact, Mr. 
Speaker, Fresno County has grown to currently produce more farm 
products in dollar value than any other in the country.
  My home of Mariposa County is also of great historical significance. 
At one time it occupied more than one-fifth of the state's 30,000 
square miles and is currently home to the oldest working courthouse 
west of the Rocky Mountains. Made of hand-planed local lumber is 1854, 
the Mariposa County Courthouse remains the seat of government and 
justice to this day and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
  The courthouse was accepted as a National Historic Landmark because 
some of the most celebrated and noted civil, mining, and water cases 
were held in its courtroom: the Fremont land grant title and Biddle 
Boggs v. Merced Mining Company are but two. During the 1953 centennial 
celebration of the courthouse, the State Bar recognized the building's 
significance by declaring it to be preserved as a ``shrine to justice 
in California.''
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the 19th District of California has 
played a fundamental role in California's history. From developing the 
agriculture industry, to shaping our civil and natural resource laws, 
the 19th District's cities are models for emerging communities across 
the country. I am honored to represent this district and to have been a 
lifelong resident of Mariposa County. Mr. Speaker, please join me in 
celebrating the Sesquicentennial of the Golden State: California.
  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. Speaker, I want to join in commemorating California's 
150th year as a State. Our diversity and the pioneering spirit of our 
people should be clear to anyone who visits the communities in Kern and 
Tulare Counties in my Congressional District, the 21st.
  While the image other Americans have of California is often that of 
beautiful beaches, high tech industries and outstanding sports teams, 
the real California stands out when anyone visits Kern and Tulare. 
These are rural counties where families have built some of the nation's 
best farm businesses--dairy, cotton, table grapes, oranges, almonds and 
pistachio nuts. The California oil industry is centered on this area--
over half the oil production in California comes from Kern County. At 
the same time, national public lands, including wilderness areas, 
provide some of the finest opportunities for recreation anywhere in the 
United States.
  If someone wants to see how Californians have continued to pursue new 
ideas, how they

[[Page H7554]]

work and how they have built strong communities around the use of 
natural resources and high technology, they ought to come out and meet 
with my friends in Kern and Tulare Counties.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent the beautiful 
Central Coast of California and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of 
California's admission to the Union.
  The 22nd Congressional District lies on California's Central Coast 
and is considered one of the most beautiful areas in the United States. 
The district includes Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties and 
features a spectacular coastline and majestic mountains. It offers a 
unique mix of major cities and small towns, bountiful vineyards, farms 
and ranches, and five highly esteemed colleges and universities.
  The Central Coast has a long history which embraces the experiences 
of Spanish explorers and missionaries, the Chumash Indians, a warm 
climate and a diverse blend of wildlife. One small town is named Los 
Osos, or the Valley of the Bears, for the grizzly bears that were once 
discovered by the explorers and missionaries.
  In 1772, Father Junipero Serra, established one of the first missions 
in the state, the Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa because of the 
region's unmatched beauty and natural resources. Known as the ``Jewel 
of the Central Coast,'' San Luis Obispo is host to a variety of natural 
wonders, including 80 miles of pristine Pacific Ocean coastline, 
rolling green hills, and fresh blue lakes.
  Also known for its rich Spanish heritage, Santa Barbara is home to 
the ``Queen of Missions,'' an 18th century Spanish-style mission, after 
which much of the city's architecture and style has been modeled. In 
fact, this cultural gift is celebrated each year with a week-long 
``Fiesta,'' or ``Old Spanish Days,'' featuring authentic food, music, 
and dance.
  People from around the world make the Central Coast, my District, 
their vacation destination. I am proud to call it my home.
  Happy anniversary California!
  Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the sesquicentennial 
of California and the 23rd Congressional District of California's role 
in the Golden State's past, present and future.
  Long before California was admitted as the 31st state of the Union, 
Ventura County was home to Native Americans and Europeans. Father 
Junipero Serra founded one of his missions in Ventura, an area already 
known to the Chumash for its great fishing and abundant flora.
  As California progressed through the 1800s and early 20th Century, so 
did Ventura County. First the stage coaches and then the railroad 
connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco came over and through the Santa 
Susana Pass, snaking along the Simi Valley, and on out to the coast. 
Many who passed through Ventura County were captured by the golden 
hills and lush soil. They stayed and raised cattle, planted apricots 
and walnuts, citrus trees and avocados.
  Or, they harvested the soil in other ways. Black gold is also among 
Ventura County's riches, and you can actually see oil seeping out of 
the soil today as you drive up Highway 150 between Santa Paula and 
Ojai, and in other parts of the county.
  When Hollywood began to blossom in the Los Angeles hills, Ventura 
County became a prime film location. Fort Apache with John Wayne, 
Columbia's Jungle Jim series with Johnny Weissmuller, and TV shows such 
as The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin and Sky King were filmed at the 
Corriganville Movie Ranch.
  Movie stars also made their home here, and many still do. Ojai is 
world-renowned for its arts community.
  California's aerospace industry also found a home and a skilled labor 
force in the 23rd Congressional District. The space shuttle's main 
engines were designed by Rocketdyne and tested at its Santa Susana 
Field Laboratory, as were the engines for the Apollo and other space 
missions.
  Much has changed in 150 years, but much remains the same. Agriculture 
is still Ventura County's number one industry, although it is now 
shipped throughout the world from Ventura County's very own port of 
entry, the Port of Hueneme. One of the country's two Seabee bases is in 
Ventura County, and the Navy's test firing range for the Pacific Fleet 
is here.
  But Ventura County also is helping to lead California and the nation 
into a better future. Technological and biomedical firms, led by Amgen, 
have sprouted up along the 101 corridor. With the opening of California 
State University, Channel Islands, in 2002, high-tech firms will find 
yet another reason to locate here. And, the school's teaching college 
will help the nation fulfill its commitment to our children.
  Mr. Speaker, California is a state compromised of visionary people 
with diverse backgrounds but with a common goal to succeed. Its future 
remains bright for another 150 years.
  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I join my 51 colleagues from the 
Great State of California to pay tribute to its 150th Statehood 
Anniversary and to the 24th Congressional District, which I represent.
  From East to West, the 24th runs from Sherman Oaks, America's best-
named city, to Thousand Oaks, through the Las Virgenes area to Malibu. 
It includes thriving business centers in the western San Fernando 
Valley and one of California's and the nation's most treasured natural 
and recreational resources, the Santa Monica Mountains.
  The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the most-often 
visited unit of our National Park System. Some 33 million American's 
visit her trails and beaches, some of the most beautiful in the world, 
every year. Most impressive is its location. The Santa Monica Mountains 
National Recreation Area is just a few-minutes drive from the major 
population centers of Los Angeles--its is our nation's largest urban 
park.
  The residents of the Malibu and Las Virgenes areas are neighbors to 
this extraordinary resource. It is truly a special place to live.
  The San Fernando Valley, part of the City of Los Angeles, is itself a 
large-sized city, with 1.4 million residents. If it were a city of its 
own, the San Fernando Valley would be the 6th largest U.S. city. It is 
richly diverse and a great community to live and work in. Proudly, it 
would be by far the safest of America's 10 largest cities.
  Thousand Oaks, a community of more than 100,000 people, is also a 
wonderful place to work and live. It is an impressive community and is 
also home to some of my district's most distinguished employers, 
including the biotechnology giant, Amgen.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, I believe my district has the best of 
everything, and so does my state. I am proud to serve the residents of 
the 24th District of California.
  Again, I wish California a happy 150th birthday.
  Mr. McKEON. Mr. Speaker, I stand today with my fellow delegates in 
celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the State of California.
  California was admitted to the Union 150 years ago as the Nation's 
31st state. Since that time, California has grown dramatically. This 
state, once known as part of the ``Wild West,'' has now become a vast 
metropolitan region of business, enterprise and entertainment.
  I represent the 25th district of California, which consists of three 
major areas: the Antelope Valley, the northwest San Fernando Valley and 
the Santa Clarita Valley. Each of these areas has contributed a great 
deal to the heritage of our state.
  The Antelope Valley was first settled in 1886 by 50 to 60 families of 
Swiss and German descent. Desiring to reside in California, these 
families were told to travel until they saw palm trees. Arriving in the 
Antelope Valley, they mistook the numerous Joshua trees for palm trees 
and settled, naming their new town Palmenthal. This name was eventually 
changed to that of the current city, Palmdale.
  The Antelope Valley has often been referred to as the Aerospace 
Capital of the United States. U.S. Air Force Plant 42, in Palmdale, was 
the birthplace of the B-1 and B-2 Bombers, the SR-71 Blackbird, the 
space shuttle and the next generation space shuttle--the X-33. Also, 
the Boeing Co., Northrop-Grumman, and Lockheed-Martin maintain 
production facilities here. The Antelope Valley's largest city, 
Lancaster, is home to a first-class performing arts theater and a 
popular minor league baseball team, the Lancaster Jethawks.
  In the 1930s and 1940s, the San Fernando Valley was known as the 
``Horse Capital of California'' because many movie stars would come in 
from Hollywood to ride horses and enjoy the slower rural pace of life. 
Even today, in the smaller communities, such as Chatsworth, it is not 
unusual to see horses tied to the hitching post out back of the Los 
Toros Mexican Restaurant or the Cowboy Palace Saloon.
  Since then the Valley has grown to become a major economic powerhouse 
in the Southern California area, home to more than 1 million people. 
Even the powerful Northridge Earthquake that hit on January 17, 1994, 
could not keep the Valley down. Residents of the Valley pulled together 
to rebuild their homes and the roads. It is now poised to become a city 
in and of itself.
  The Santa Clarita Valley, located in between the San Fernando and 
Antelope Valleys, has made many contributions to the history of both 
California and the United States. For thousands of years, the Valley 
served as a major migration route for Native American groups as they 
traveled between the coast and the interior valleys and the great 
eastern deserts. This is the location of the first documented discovery 
of gold in California; the oldest existing oil refinery in the world; 
the first commercial oil field in California; the third-longest 
railroad tunnel in the world at its completion in 1876; and it is the 
location of one of the last ``treat train robberies'' in the United 
States.

[[Page H7555]]

  In the 1920s, William S. Hart and Tom Mix used the Santa Clarita 
Valley to create the traditional Western film. The Western film 
industry continued growing through the decades with actors such as Gary 
Cooper, Roy Rogers, John Wayne and others. Our quaint little valley 
created the ideal background for great Westerns such as the ``Lone 
Ranger,'' ``Wyatt Earp,'' ``Annie Oakly,'' ``Gunsmoke'' and many more.
  As you can see, Mr. Speaker, the 25th district has played a vital 
role in California's livelihood. I am honored to represent this 
district and to have been a life-long resident of the Golden State. 
From the days of the Gold Rush, to the current times of the Silicon 
Valley, California has always had a major impact on U.S. history and 
the economy. Please join me today in celebrating the Sesquicentennial 
of this great state.
  Mr. BERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 150th birthday of 
the Great State of California, and to pay tribute to California's 26th 
Congressional District, which I am honored to represent in Congress. 
The 26th District is located in the Northeast San Fernando Valley and 
consists of the Golden State and Hollywood Freeway corridors of the 
Valley, proceeding as far west as Van Nuys and the San Diego Freeway.
  Its history was recounted, with some creative license, in the movie 
Chinatown. Civic leaders encouraged city engineer William Mulholland to 
build a huge aqueduct from the Owens Valley to give Los Angeles water, 
and, in 1915, got the city to annex most of the Valley, large tracts of 
which they had already purchased.
  In addition to many neighborhoods of Los Angeles, the 26th District 
takes in the small independent city of San Fernando, which is home to 
the beautiful Mission San Fernando, Rey de Espana. This historic 
building was established by Frey Fermin Francisco De Lasuen on 
September 8, 1797 as one of a chain of missions built to convert the 
native peoples to Christianity and to consolidate Spanish power along 
the coast of California. The Mission Church is an exact replica of the 
original church, which was built between 1804 and 1806. The walls of 
the church are seven feet thick at the base and five feet thick at the 
top. The material used was adobe brick, and those who built it were 
primarily the native peoples, who were called the Gabrielinos or the 
Tongva.
  During the 1950s and 1960s, the 26th District was home to Holiday 
Lake at Hansen Dam, one of the most popular spots in the entire San 
Fernando Valley for family outings. On weekends, the lake was filled 
with swimmers and boaters and the shores teemed with picnics and games. 
But in 1969 and again in 1980, floods brought in millions of tons of 
sand, gravel and silt to Hansen Dam, transforming the beautiful 130-
acre lake into a swamp. With the demise of the lake, the other parts of 
the park fell into disrepair.
  By the 1980's, the closing of the lake became a depressing symbol of 
overall neglect in this low- to middle-income area. From the day I came 
to Congress, its restoration was one of my highest priorities. In 1999, 
a fishing lake opened to paddle boats and rowboats and a swimming lake 
opened at Hansen Dam, making this area once again a central 
recreational area for Valley families.
  The 26th District was hard hit by the recession of the early 1990s. 
Many workers employed at nearby defense plants lost their jobs in the 
post-Cold War downsizing, while others were laid off in August 1992 
when the General Motors plant located in the heart of the District in 
Van Nuys shut its doors. The magnitude of unemployment was dramatically 
illustrated in 1993, when a job fair held at the vacant GM site drew 
thousands of people.
  Today, the worst of that economic crisis seems to be over. 
Unemployment in the area is down, as it is throughout Los Angeles 
County, and a major commercial/manufacturing development is rising 
where the GM plant once stood. In addition, the 26th District continues 
to be home to a variety of manufacturing facilities.
  The Northridge earthquake of January 17, 1994 had its epicenter just 
west of the 26th and destroyed or damaged many homes, stores, factories 
and office buildings. In fact, the building that housed the 26th 
District Office was among those that suffered damage so extensive that 
it had to be torn down following the quake. A section of Interstate 405 
within the District collapsed, a gas leak started fires that consumed 
70 homes in Sylmar and an oil line exploded in San Fernando (where the 
quake flattened 63 homes and damaged another 835.) After extensive 
rebuilding and retrofitting, however, virtually all vestiges of the 
damage have been repaired.
  In the last 150 years, the San Fernando Valley has changed from an 
empty open stretch of land into a busy metropolis, filled with houses 
and businesses, office towers, shopping centers, subdivisions and 
warehouse buildings. The 26th District is home to the Academy of 
Television Arts and Sciences, which presents the annual Emmy Awards. 
Among the notable alumni of the District are actor Robert Redford, who 
attended Van Nuys High School, and rock 'n roll star Ritchie Valens, of 
Pacoima.
  Mr. Speaker, California's 26th District is one of the fastest growing 
areas of Los Angeles. I am very proud to represent its citizens in the 
United States House of Representatives. I ask my colleagues to join the 
California Delegation today in celebrating the sesquicentennial of the 
Golden State--California.
  Mr. ROGAN. Mr. Speaker, located just minutes from downtown Los 
Angeles, the 27th District of California has an identity as colorful as 
the roses that adorn the floats of the locally produced Tournament of 
Roses Parade. The district sits between the Verdugo and San Gabriel 
Mountains and encompasses the Foothill communities of Glendale, 
Burbank, Pasadena, South Pasadena, San Marino, Sunland, Tujunga, La 
Canada, La Cresenta, Altadena and a small portion of Los Angeles.
  The district boasts distinctive neighborhoods, a rich history and a 
vibrant cultural scene. The ethnic diversity of the district is one of 
its greatest assets and includes long time White, African-American and 
Hispanic communities along side growing numbers of Koreans, Filipinos 
and the nation's largest Armenian community. Another distinction is the 
Spanish heritage reflected in the abundant mission-style architecture 
and landscaping that can be found throughout the district.
  Every New Year's Day, millions of Americans tune in to see rose 
covered floats make their way down the streets of Pasadena in the 
Tournament of Roses Parade and to watch two of the nation's top college 
football teams compete in the Rose Bowl. Pasadena is also the home of 
Cal Tech, one of the nation's premier research institutions where the 
scientists and engineers work together with the Jet Propulsion 
Laboratory on behalf of NASA to devise the latest techniques in space 
exploration.
  A few miles away, there is a different kind of creativity at work in 
the many studios that employee writers, set designers, actors and 
directors who create America's favorite movies and television shows. 
The 27th District is home to Warner Brothers Studios, Walt Disney 
Studios and numerous small entertainment companies. In fact even Jay 
Leno works on his ``Tonight Show'' from NBC Studios located in downtown 
Burbank.
  It is an honor for me to represent the 27th District of California in 
Congress and to join with my colleagues in celebrating the 
Seisquintennial Anniversary of our great state.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, the San Gabriel, Pomona and Walnut Valleys 
are home to 17 cities and other communities in northeastern Los Angeles 
County. It is home to the San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles 
National Forest--the most visited part of our national forest system. 
It's one of the few places in America where you can stand in warm and 
comfortable 90-degree weather and look up at a beautiful, snowcapped 
mountain such as Mount Baldy.
  Dating from the early days of Spanish settlement in California, my 
district was home to many ranchos and other agricultural settlements. 
The complexion of the region changed little over many decades. The 
completion of the railroad from Chicago late in the 19th century 
unleashed growth that would eventually remake the entire region. With 
the advent of access to the east, the San Gabriel Valley began to boom. 
People flocked to the area in search of better job prospects and a more 
comfortable climate, and many small towns began to grow along the rail 
lines. Many of the towns and cities in the San Gabriel Valley today 
trace their roots to midwesterners who settled in the area beginning in 
the late 1800's. The traditions and values of those early citizens can 
still be found today in the small-town atmosphere in cities from one 
end of the valley to the other--even though the area is part of the 
sprawling Los Angeles megalopolis.
  About the same time as the railroad completion, it was discovered 
that citrus fruits grew well in the region's rich soil and warm 
climate. The Valleys became leading producers of oranges and lemons, as 
groves blanketed the area. The citrus industry brought people and a 
booming economy which lasted until the second World War. After the war, 
the citrus groves gave way to housing tracts and growing suburbs. The 
area remains a diverse mix of residential areas and businesses, small 
and large. At the same time it is undergoing rapid demographic shifts 
as the diversity of California continues with the arrival new 
immigrants from China, India, Mexico and a host of other countries in 
Asia and Latin America and elsewhere.
  Today the area is a blend of old and new. The San Gabriel Valley is 
home to showcase events such as the annual Pasadena Tournament of Roses 
Parade and the Los Angeles County Fair. At the same time it is becoming 
a modern center for high technology. Firms headquartered in the region 
are at the cutting edge of engineering and construction, of internet 
commerce, of computer hardware and of

[[Page H7556]]

communications technology. The area is also home to the world renowned 
City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte and a number of 
outstanding institutions of higher learning, including the Claremont 
Colleges. The vibrant economy is increasingly centered around 
technology and trade and our unique location at the edge of the Pacific 
Rim.
  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, it is a great honor for me to represent the 
29th Congressional District, which is a mecca of creative genius and 
one of the most celebrated districts in the country.
  Whether you are enjoying the dazzling beaches, the celebrated Walk of 
Fame, the shopping on Rodeo Drive, or the magnificent Santa Monica 
Mountains, the beauty and diversity of the 29th Congressional District 
captivate the imagination like no other place on earth.
  The 29th Congressional District is the world's entertainment capital. 
From the time the first movie studio was created in 1911, creative 
visionaries and artisans have flocked to this magical place. Today, 
thanks to the talent and energy of the thousands of people in the 
district, the entertainment production industry is the nation's largest 
exporter. International sales of widely popular American copyrighted 
works brings tens of billions of additional dollars to our economy each 
year.
  The vision and inventive genius are also on display in the myriad 
other businesses throughout the district, including high tech firms, e-
businesses, unique retail businesses and restaurants, and 
entrepreneurial start-ups. Not surprisingly, this community contains 
some of the best informed, technologically savvy, culturally 
progressive, and politically active people in the country.
  Every year people travel from around the world to experience the 
magic of the 29th Congressional District, a singular place where 
people's biggest dreams can come true.
  Mr. BECERRA. Mr. Speaker, I stand before you proudly to congratulate 
California, the Golden State, on 150 trailblazing and industrious 
years. It is often said that ``as California goes, so goes the 
nation,'' for we are a diverse and forward-looking lot. Well, it might 
also be said that as Los Angeles--and specifically, the 30th CD--goes, 
so goes the nation, because we are positively among the most richly 
multi-lingual and multi-cultural communities in the world. I am proud 
to represent a district steeped in tradition with landmark communities 
such as: Koreatown, Chinatown, Eagle Rock, Atwater Village, Cypress 
Park, Glassel Park, Highland Park, Montecito Heights, El Sereno, Echo 
Park, Silver Lake, Mount Washington, Monterey Hills, Elysian Valley, 
Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, Mid-Wilshire, and East Hollywood. My 
district surrounds downtown to the North, West, and East, and contains 
landmark institutions known to everyone such as the Southwest Museum, 
Los Angeles City College, Occidental College, Children's Hospital and 
the Los Angeles County-University of Southern California Medical 
Center.
  Specifically, my district contains over 573,000 people which, much 
like the city of Los Angeles, is home to a multiplicity of languages 
spoken. Like California, my district is now a majority-minority region 
where the number of ethnic minorities, including significant numbers of 
Latino and Asian American residents, actually form the majority of the 
total population. In addition, there are large groups of Armenian, 
Jewish, Russian, and Egyptian Americans who have made their home in the 
30th CD. More than half of my constituents were born in other 
countries, adding yet another dimension to this amazing mosaic of 
individuals.
  Whether visiting Hollywood, attending a Dodger game, or enjoying the 
culture and cuisine of Koreatown and Chinatown, the 30th CD is a joy to 
represent. The 30th CD is a wonderful part of the great city of Los 
Angeles. Mr. Speaker, and my fellow colleagues, I enthusiastically 
applaud the hard work and contributions of my constituents in the 30th 
CD, along with those of the other 51 congressional districts who have 
helped make California what it was yesterday, what it is today, and 
what it will be in the future . . . a new frontier.
  Mr. MARTINEZ. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pride to rise tonight to 
celebrate the State of California's sesquicentennial anniversary.
  For 150 years, California has been a vital part of the United States. 
From the gold rush to the high-tech rush, California has been a beacon 
for millions of our fellow countrymen who have staked a claim in the 
American dream. The Golden State is truly the enchanted State, home to 
the entrepreneurial spirit that has built our great Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the history of the 31st congressional district located 
in the San Gabriel Valley mirrors, in many ways, the history and growth 
of California. My district is one of the most interesting and 
culturally diverse in the State. It includes parts of East Los Angeles 
and extends west to the foothills of the San Gabriel mountains, 
encompassing the cities of Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel, South 
San Gabriel, Rosemead, El Monte, South El Monte, Baldwin Park, 
Irwindale and Azusa.
  The city of San Gabriel is home to the historic San Gabriel Mission, 
which was founded in 1771 by Franciscan monks. The mission served as a 
major catalyst in the growth of southern California. It was from the 
San Gabriel Mission that 11 families left on September 4, 1881, to 
found El Pueblo De La Reina De Los Angeles. Today, the San Gabriel is a 
bustling city, rich in culture and history.
  El Monte, known as the end of the Sante Fe Trail was the place where 
people traveling between San Bernardino and Los Angeles stopped. Gold 
prospectors heading for the gold fields in northern California stopped 
here before continuing on their trek. El Monte is today the largest 
city in my district. El Monte is home to hard working families who take 
pride in their community and heritage.
  Mr. Speaker, the city of Monterey Park, which was originally 
inhabited by Shoshone Indians, is at the turn of the 21st century the 
home for one of the largest Asian-American communities in the country. 
Chinese, Taiwanese, and Vietnamese shops, restaurants, and import 
centers are present throughout the city.
  Mr. Speaker, all the cities in my district have their own distinctive 
character and unique place in the history of southern California. 
During the past 150 years, the San Gabriel Valley has played an 
important role in the development of the region, and the valley is 
indeed extremely well-positioned to continued as vital player in the 
prosperity of Los Angeles County and southern California.
  In closing, Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues from the Golden State 
in celebrating California's 150 years of success and wishing my State 
continued prosperity.
  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, my district lines run from the Harbor Freeway 
past Baldwin Hills to Culver City; my district includes USC; California 
Science Center, Natural History Museum of LA County; California African 
American Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum; and Sony Pictures Studio 
in Culver City.
  Los Angeles was little more than a frontier town in the 1870s when 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Conference first sought to establish 
a university in the region. Today, the University of Southern 
California (USC), located in the culturally and ethnically diverse 32nd 
Congressional District, is, arguably, one of the country's most 
preeminent international centers of learning, enrolling more than 
28,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. It ranks in 
the top ten percent of major research universities in the United 
States.
  The 32nd Congressional District is also home to Sony Pictures Studios 
in Culver City, a major employer in the district, and formerly the home 
of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), one of the cradles of the motion picture 
industry in the state. The 32nd also claims a great deal of movie 
history, including the little known fact that the much heralded 1939 
blockbuster movie, ``Gone With the Wind,'' was filmed at the historic 
David O. Selznick Studios, which was located in Culver City.
  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise in honor of the 150th 
anniversary of the statehood of the great state of California.
  On this historic occasion, is it fitting that we taking a moment to 
observe and celebrate the diverse and distinct cities and communities 
throughout our state.
  The district that I am proud to represent and call home is the 33rd 
Congressional District of California.
  The 33rd Congressional district is a vibrant, diverse area 
encompassing metropolitan downtown Los Angeles, including Boyle 
Heights, Little Tokyo, Pico Union, and portions of Chinatown, 
Filipinotown, Koreatown, and Westlake. The suburban portions of the 
district include the cities of Bell, Bell Gardens, Commerce, Cudahy, 
Huntington Park, Maywood, South Gate, and Vernon and parts of East Los 
Angeles, Walnut Park and Florence.
  The 33rd Congressional district houses the civic center of Los 
Angeles, including the area's courthouses, Los Angeles City Hall, the 
offices of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, Los Angeles 
Police Department, Los Angeles Unified School District, Metropolitan 
Transit Authority, and Immigration and Naturalization Service.
  In addition, the 33rd Congressional district boasts a multitude of 
cultural attractions and resources. The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 
Shrine Auditorium, Latino Museum, Chinese American Museum, Japanese 
American National Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art are 
located in my congressional district. In addition, the new Our Lady of 
the Angeles Cathedral is being built in the center of downtown Los 
Angeles.
  Our community also reflects the rich history of the state of 
California. The district is home to such historic sites such as Union 
Station, Olvera Street Plaza and the Broadway theater district. In 
fact, on September 4th of this year,

[[Page H7557]]

the city of Los Angeles celebrated its 219th birthday.
  The residents of 33rd Congressional district reflect the wonderful 
diversity of our State. There is a mixture of newly-arrived immigrants 
families and a strong, established Hispanic community. Ethnic enclaves, 
like Chinatown, Koreatown, and Japantown, house specialty stores and 
restaurants that cater to the area's thriving Asian community.
  Recently, the 33rd Congressional district proudly hosted the 
Democratic National Convention. The convention gave Los Angeles and its 
residents an opportunity to showcase our city to the hundreds of 
thousands of visitors as well as the millions who watched the 
proceedings on television. The DNC took place at the recently-opened 
Staples Center, which also serves as the home for the Los Angeles 
Kings, Lakers and the Clippers.
  I am extremely proud of all that the 33rd Congressional district has 
to offer and delighted to sing its praises on the 150th birthday of our 
great state, the State of California.
  Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, on this Sesquicentennial Anniversary of 
California's admission to the Union, I am filled with tremendous pride 
and a deep sense of honor to represent the people of my Thirty-fourth 
Congressional District, composed of the cities and communities in the 
Southeast and San Gabriel Valley areas of Los Angeles County including 
the City of Industry, East Los Angeles, Hacienda Heights, La Puente, 
Montebello, Norwalk, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Whittier.
  Our district is a part of Southern California that is rich in 
diversity and historical significance from the earliest days through 
the modern era. In the heart of the 34th district, is the home of Pio 
Pico, the last governor of Mexican California before the American 
takeover in 1846. One of California's most remarkable historical 
figures, he witnessed and helped shape nearly a century of California 
history. Governor Pico's ancestry includes a mixture of ethnicities, 
including Mexican, African, Indian and Italian. He built a mansion on 
what is now a three-acre state park located in Whittier, that was once 
the headquarters of his sprawling 8,891-acre ranch. Twice the governor 
of the Mexican State, his life spanned a remarkable era that saw the 
Spanish, Mexican and American flags fly over his native Alta 
California.
  Early in the American era, Whittier also became the home to a vibrant 
community of Quakers. It was from this community in a later generation 
that our Thirty-seventh President of the United States, Richard M. 
Nixon, was educated at Whittier College. After service in the United 
States Navy during World War II, he returned to the area to begin his 
political career and was elected to Congress in 1946.
  San Gabriel Mission founded by Blessed Junipero Serra, a Franciscan 
missionary from Mallorca, Spain, administered the vast lands composing 
what we know as the ``Los Angeles basin,'' and which were later 
parceled out into sprawling ranchos to land-grantees during the Spanish 
and Mexican eras. Following the rancho era when cattle was the 
principal economic endeavor, these fabulously fertile lands brought 
forth rich agricultural commodities including citrus, avocado and 
walnut groves, bean fields and dairy land. Eventually major oil 
reserves were discovered in what is now Santa Fe Springs and 
Montebello, which continue producing to this day.
  At the end of World War II the sudden demand in housing for returning 
veterans from throughout the country desiring to raise their young 
families and populate the massive economic engine of industrial Los 
Angeles attracted developers to these peaceful and pleasant locales. 
New homes, schools and churches were built and soon these local 
communities began to incorporate into new cities. All of these 
communities share a proud history of the development of the ``Golden 
State'' and each has a unique and special historical heritage.
  California is indeed the greatest state, in population, economy, 
diversity and worldwide cultural influence. Its magnificent coastal 
areas, majestic mountain ranges, fabulously fertile agricultural 
valleys, vast pristine deserts, bespeak an unequaled wealth of 
environmental diversity. The Great Golden State was, is and will always 
be the treasure chest of the American experience renowned the world 
over. For every Californian, native and immigrant, our motto ``Eureka'' 
says it all ``I have found it!''
  Put another candle on our birthday cake, we are 150 years old today? 
God bless California. Felicidades California?
  Mr. KUYKENDALL. Mr. Speaker, today I recognize the 150th anniversary 
of California's statehood. On September 9, 1850, California was 
admitted to the Union as the nation's 31st state. Much has changed over 
the last 150 years, but California still remains one of the world's 
natural treasures.
  At the time of California's entry into the Union, the population for 
Los Angeles numbered 3,530. As Los Angeles developed and expanded, so 
did the South Bay. I am proud that the natural beauty of the South Bay 
remained unchanged over the last 150 years. The shoreline is our 
livelihood, as California is the gateway to the West.
  We are rich in cultural diversity with a population of all races and 
creeds from throughout the world. California's natural resources are 
numerous, with some of the most breathtaking landscape in the world. 
From agriculture to e-commerce, we are a leader in all areas of 
business. California's 150 years as a state embody the American 
experience, one of the growth and vision.
  I congratulate all Californians on this milestone. We have much to 
celebrate. The state of California is a model to the nation. I hope the 
next 150 years are as dynamic as the first 150.
  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise with great pride because 
September 9th marked the 150th anniversary of California's admission to 
the union. The United States Postal Service is reissuing its California 
Statehood stamp to honor this event. And all of the 52 members of the 
California delegation have come together to pay tribute to an important 
part of our history in the United States.
  As the Representative of the 37th District of California and long 
time resident of this great state, I am happy to join this effort to 
pay homage to our historical leaders who had the wisdom to form one 
union of the United States.
  My district in particular has made wonderful contributions to the 
state of California over the past 150 years. The South Bay area has a 
long and distinguished history that is unique and embraces the essence 
of Southern California.
  The city of Carson has a strong Spanish presence and is home to 
Dominguez Rancho Adobe, built in 1826. The Goodyear blimp ``Eagle'' 
also calls Carson home. Goodyear's blimp logs over 400,000 air miles 
per year and have adorned the skies of Southern California as a very 
visible corporate symbol of the tire and rubber company.
  The Los Angeles community of Watts is home to the Watts Towers. 
Created by Simon Rodia, the towers rise over one hundred feet tall. 
Composed of structural steel rods and circular hoops connected by 
spokes, the towers incorporate a sparkling mosaic of found materials 
including pottery, seashells, and glass. Rodia's house, destroyed by 
fire in 1957, resided within the complex.
  Declared hazardous by the city of Los Angeles, the towers were 
threatened with demolition until an engineer's stress test proved them 
structurally sound. They have since been designated a cultural 
monument.
  The city of Long Beach has a past deep in Spanish history. Created by 
a land grant given to soldier Manuel Nieto, the city was planned out in 
1882 as Willmore City by developer Williman Willmore, and a new town 
began forming along the coast. Long Beach serves as home to the 
historic Queen Mary.
  Partially adjacent to Long Beach is the community of Habor Gateway 
and serves as the entrance to the Los Angeles port area. People from 
around the world visit and call the South Bay area home. I am proud to 
call the 37th Congressional District home.
  Happy Anniversary California!
  Mr. HORN. Mr. Speaker, as we celebrate California's 150th anniversary 
of statehood, this is a good time to reflect on the vast change that 
has occurred in this former Spanish Colony. Since California was 
admitted into the Union as the nation's 31st state on September 9, 
1850, the state has grown to become the world's fifth largest economy.
  California's history before and after statehood includes vital 
contributions by Hispanics and Native Americans. One of the most 
important has been the system of 21 missions founded by Father Junipero 
Serra that began in San Diego and extended over 600 miles to the north. 
The contributions of the missions in education and in producing 
clothing and food were integral in California's early development.
  California has often been referred to as a bellwether state--a place 
where people challenge the assumptions of the present to give America a 
glimpse of the future. This is fitting for a state settled by far-
sighted, brave individuals willing to risk everything for a second 
chance. Americans and others from around the world have seen California 
as a place to seek a better life. When Los Angeles was founded in 1781, 
its residents included people of European, African, and Native American 
ethnic backgrounds. Chinese immigrants built railroads and agricultural 
infrastructure in the 19th Century. In the 1880's the first direct rail 
connection between Southern California and the East brought hundreds of 
thousands to the Southland.
  In the 38th District, the historical attractions include Rancho Los 
Cerritos, an 1884 colonial style-adobe that was once a working cattle 
ranch, and Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, which was 
built in 1806. The port of Long Beach is home to the historic Queen 
Mary, once called the Queen of the Atlantic and arguably the most 
famous ship in

[[Page H7558]]

history. The Queen Mary began its maiden voyage in 1936, served as 
Winston Churchill's seaborne headquarters, and played a part in the 
major Allied campaign of the Second World War. Long Beach is also home 
to the Boeing C-17 military transport plant and the Sea Launch base 
that sends satellites into space. Additionally, the Apollo space 
capsules and the space shuttles were built at the NASA plant in the 
city of Downey.
  This 150th anniversary celebration of California's statehood is as 
much an occasion to look forward to the future as to reflect on the 
past. If we live up to our state's long tradition of progress, 
diversity, and national and international leadership, California can 
look forward to another 150 years of success.
  Mr. ROYCE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 150th 
anniversary of the founding of the golden State of California.
  From the port of Long Beach to the North Orange County region, the 
39th Congressional District is one of the many examples of the state's 
remarkable diversity. This area was once thriving farmland, rich in 
oranges, lemons, avocados, and walnuts. Agriculture was the first 
important industry. With orange groves being so abundant, Orange County 
was named after the fruit.
  Many industrious individuals flocked to this area, like Walter Knott, 
who began the Knott legacy in Buena Park. He used to sell jams and 
jellies at a roadside stand. Mrs. Knott began serving up fried chicken 
dinners to those waiting in the lines, and they soon added a restaurant 
to accommodate more people.
  Mr. Knott wanted to build something as a tribute to the Old West and 
the pioneers who paved the way. The idea of a ghost town was born, 
which eventually evolved into the Knott's Berry Farm amusement park. 
Its original purpose was to educate and entertain and it still does 
today.
  The district has undergone tremendous growth since the days of the 
orange groves. The neighboring metropolis of Los Angeles burst at the 
seams and the population spilled across the rural valley. In its wake, 
the farmlands were replaced by an urban landscape of homes, shopping 
malls, and industrial parks.
  Today, Orange County is home to a vast number of major industries, 
the most prominent being the high-tech, telecommunications, and 
entertainment industries.
  Throughout its existence, this area has continued to thrive. No other 
environment is more conducive to innovation and creativity than this 
sun-blessed region of Southern California.
  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, as California celebrates the 
150th anniversary of statehood, I would like to share with my 
colleagues a little of the history and special characteristics of the 
40th Congressional District--the largest in the state--which I am proud 
to represent. That history stretches long before California became a 
state--and indeed long before the history of the West was recorded.
  The 40th district stretches from the peaks of the Eastern Sierra 
Nevada to the fast-growing cities of the San Bernardino Valley, on the 
eastern edge of the Southern California urban area. The heart of the 
district is the Mojava Desert, which has long been known as a gateway 
to the Pacific Coast since the Mohava Indians forged a trail west from 
the Colorado River to trade with coastal tribes. The route eventually 
was followed by the Union Pacific and Santa Fe railroads, and then by 
Route 66, the Mother Road that is still celebrated by tens of thousands 
of people at events in Barstow and San Bernardino.
  The 40th Congressional District today boasts the highest point and 
lowest point in the ``lower 48'' states. Mount Whitney, at 14,495 feet, 
is the highest peak along the towering mountain chain known as the 
Sierra Nevada. The lowest point at 282 feet below sea level, is the 
Badwater area of the desolately beautiful Death Valley National Park. 
The two points are among many that make the district an outdoor 
recreation paradise. Other desert parks include Joshua Tree National 
Park and Mojava National Preserve. The Owens Valley, where the 
mountains meet the desert, is the gateway to such nationally known 
treasures as Sequoia National Park and the Mammoth Lakes ski resorts.
  Southern California residents known that they can find world-class 
skiing and summer hiking trails much closer to home, in the 40th 
District's San Bernardino Mountains, which provide a snow-capped 
backdrop to the sunny Southland. Tucked under those mountains are some 
of the nation's fastest growing communities.
  Mr. Speaker, the 40th Congressional District makes a huge 
contribution to our nation's defense as the home of the Army's National 
Training Center at Fort Irwin, the Marine Corps Air-Command Combat 
Center at Twentynine Palms, Edwards Air Force Base and China Lake Naval 
Air Warfare Center. Two recently closed installations--George Air Force 
and Norton Air Force Bases--are being transformed into new commercial 
air hubs to handle the region's burgeoning air cargo and passenger 
needs.
  The 40th Congressional District has a wealth of universities and 
colleges, including fast-growing California State University, San 
Bernardino, the prestigious University of Redlands, and Loma Linda 
University and Medical Center, known nationally for its infant heart 
transplant program and for the first proton beam accelerator used in 
ground-breaking cancer treatment.
  Mr. Speaker, from the discovery and mining of gold and silver to the 
training ground for Gen. George S. Patton's World War II tank brigades, 
the 40th Congressional District's history is intertwined with 
California's and the nation's. It is an honor to represent a district 
that contains such a wealth of resources, and such hard-working, 
forward-looking constituents.
  Mr. GARY MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the Sesquicentennial of the great State of California's admittance to 
the Union. This event took place on September 9, 1850 and made 
California the 31st State of the United States of America.
  The 41st District, which I represent, is part of what makes 
California special. It is centered in the area that is known as the 
Inland Empire on the point where Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Orange 
Counties come together. Decades ago, it was home to mostly orange 
groves, farmers and dairymen. But during the 1980's, the Inland Empire 
developed into a booming economic region as a result of the expansion 
California experienced in that time.
  This district is home to many terrific cities including Chino, Chino 
Hills, Upland Montclair, Walnut, Diamond Bar, Brea, Rowland Heights, 
Ontario, Pomona, Yorba Linda and Plancentia. The international airport 
in Ontario is quickly becoming a major airport hub for passengers and 
cargo heading overseas. Pomona is the host of the Los Angeles County 
Fair each year. Yorba Linda is the birthplace and resting place for 
former President, Richard Nixon, and home to the Nixon Presidential 
Library. The 41st District is also the home of California State 
Polytechnic University, Pomona. The Collins School of Hospitality 
Management at Cal Poly Pomona is considered to be among the top ten 
hospitality management schools in the United States.
  I am very proud to be a resident and the Representative of the 41st 
District of California. It is with great pride that I recognize the 
Sesquicentennial of California, the greatest State in the Union.
  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, this year we celebrate California's 150th 
anniversary of the state's admission to the union. The 42nd 
Congressional district of California has undergone many changes over 
the years.
  For many years San Bernardino was the gateway to the Los Angeles 
Basin, situated on flat land where the route through the twisting, 
windy Cajon Pass took passengers on the Santa Fe Railroad and motorists 
on U.S. 66 from the hot and dusty high desert to the greener, tree-
lined basin.
  There were orange groves around the little railroad towns and 
vineyards to the west; this was an agricultural zone until World War 
II, when Henry J. Kaiser built the West Coast's first major steel mill 
between the Santa Fe and Southern Pacific lines in Fontana, just west 
of San Bernardino.
  In the 1950's Ray Kroc traveled to California upon hearing about the 
McDonald's hamburger stand in San Bernardino running eight Multimixers 
at a time. Kroc had never seen so many people served so fast. Kroc 
pitched the idea of opening up several restaurants to Dick and Mac 
McDonald. Today the restaurant is an international chain.
  In the 1990's the region weathered military base closures and 
realignments, as well as aerospace firm downsizing. But we have 
rebuilt, and today the Inland Empire has a thriving economy and is 
projected to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States.
  Today the region has great strengths--We have inexpensive land, 
extensive transportation systems, including trucking hubs, a large 
employment pool, low unemployment, strong growth in construction, 
distribution, and manufacturing industries, and 23 colleges and 
universities, which are engaged in cutting edge research, including CE-
CERT at U.C. Riverside, which is doing research on automotive 
technologies of the future.
  IVDA/San Bernardino International Airport is poised to turn Norton 
Air Force Base into a high-tech incubator, through legislation I 
authored to provide tax incentives to businesses (AB 3, 1998). We hope 
to create 15,000 high-tech jobs in our region through incentives as a 
result of that legislation, such as 15 year net operating loss 
carryover, sales and use tax credits, expedited permit processing, and 
the creation of local incentives for employers.
  We are also working to create a regional partnership with Orange 
County to make San Bernardino International Airport viable for 
businesses.
  California and the Inland Empire will be a hub for the commercial 
space business and industries of the future. High technology will

[[Page H7559]]

be the key, in this decade and in the next 150 years of our state.
  Scientists are working on advances that push the frontiers of 
science, such as new devices that can store the content of the Library 
of Congress on a computer the size of a sugar cube, and robots no 
bigger than a thumbnail. As a member of the Science Committee, I have 
been pleased to support these efforts.
  This research will have very real benefits for California and the 
Inland Empire in terms of job creation and economic growth. If anyone 
has any doubts, look at the Internet. The Internet started as a federal 
research tool, and is responsible for one of the longest economic booms 
in history.
  In addition to the above initiatives, we will continue to work on 
projects such as completing the Alameda Corridor, making it a route 
that ultimately could link us with Mexico; bringing high speed rail to 
the Inland Empire, and creating an Inland Empire distribution center. 
We are building Tech Park, a 120-acre business park to house high tech 
businesses.
  We are also working to revitalize downtown San Bernardino with a new 
courthouse, through SB 35 (Baca), which provides local funding, and we 
have been working on federal funds.
  In summary, it has been a long road from the hot and dusty origins of 
our area to the thriving high-tech future. But as our state celebrates 
its 150th anniversary, we have many changes to look back on. Our past 
achievements are filled with pride, our future promise is great.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the whole of my 
delegation to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the great state of 
California joining the United States of America. As the 31st state to 
join the union, nobody at the time could have predicted the incredible 
breadth of agriculture, business, military prowess or diversity that 
California would and continues to contribute to the nation.
  My own small corner of California, anything but small really, 
encompasses western Riverside County, including the cities of 
Riverside, Corona, Norco, Lake Elsinore and Murrieta. In fact, 
Riverside County is the fourth largest county in the state, stretching 
nearly 200 miles across and comprising over 7,200 square miles of 
fertile river valleys, low deserts, mountains, foothills and rolling 
plains. Between 1980 and 1990, the number of residents grew by over 
76%, making Riverside the fastest-growing County in California. By 
1992, the County was ``home'' to over 1.3 million residents--more than 
the entire population of 13 states, among them Maine, Nevada, Hawaii 
and New Hampshire.
  Of course I would be lax in my position as the Representative to the 
43rd Congressional District if I did not add that it is also the most 
impressive district in California. Founded in 1870 by John W. North and 
the Southern California Colony Association, the City of Riverside took 
off and has never looked back. In its infancy Riverside became known 
for its many citrus groves, palm lined avenues and wide array of 
subtropical shade. The region became famous for its citrus and 
horticultural industries that over time gave way to military and 
industrial growth, and education.
  In fact, in 1907, Riverside became the home to the University of 
California Citrus Experiment Station, sponsoring wide-ranging research 
that greatly benefited agriculture in the region. The site was 
established as a campus of the University of California fewer than 50 
years later in 1954. Today, the University of California at Riverside 
has earned a reputation as one of the pre-eminent teaching and research 
institutes in the world.
  Agriculture continues to be a cornerstone of UC Riverside as 
California continues as the nation's top agriculture state, a position 
it has held for more than 50 years. From Humboldt County in the north 
to Imperial County in the South, California agriculture is a blend of 
valleys, foothills, coastal areas and deserts where a bounty of 
superior agricultural products unmatched anywhere in the world grow.
  My home district also offers up its beautiful architecture to those 
who visit. Its ``Mediterranean image'' derives from the many examples 
of fine architecture in the California Mission Revival and Spanish 
Colonial styles that grace its landscape. The best known example being 
the Historic Mission Inn, in the City of Riverside, which was built 
between 1902 and 1932 by Frank A. Miller and his partner Henry 
Huntington. Bette Davis and Humphrey Bogart were married there. Teddy 
Roosevelt was its first Presidential guest. Richard and Pat Nixon 
exchanged wedding vows at the Inn. Ronald and Nancy Reagan began their 
honeymoon in its Presidential Suite.

  Mr. Speaker, the 43rd District has obviously seen rapid growth and 
change over the past 150 years. We are proud to join our other friends 
across California in celebrating our great fortune and success as a 
State. California is guaranteed to continue as cornerstone of 
agriculture, education and industry in the next 150 years to come. 
Happy Birthday California!
  Mrs. BONO. Mr. Speaker, in many ways, California's 44th District 
represents the Golden State as a whole. Rich in its geographic, 
environmental and cultural diversity, this area within what is now 
known as the ``Inland Empire,'' has a vibrant past and promising 
future. The district contains towering alpine peaks and forests, arid 
expanses of unforgiving desert, rich agricultural fields--even beaches 
at the great inland Salton Sea and on the banks of the mighty Colorado 
River. Today, this region has fulfilled the vision of early settlers 
and exceeded expectations of even the most optimistic boosters.
  The 44th District was first home to the southern California's 
indigenous desert tribal people--the Cahuilla Indians. From the high 
mountain peaks of Mt. San Jacinto to the depths of the Salton Sink, 
these tribal bands lived in harmony with a sometimes harsh but 
amazingly rich environment. The Cahuilla culture is still a respected 
part of the current desert community, and their magnificent Indian 
Canyons stand as a testament to their sound stewardship of these native 
lands. The Cahuilla people welcomed the Spanish explorers who were the 
first westerners to travel deep into the southern deserts, sharing the 
trails and watering holes that meant the difference between life and 
death in the forbidding expanse.
  Later, settlers from first Mexico and later the United States 
traveled to the region--most establishing rancheros and farms as the 
earliest economic enterprises. These hardy souls fought against 
unimaginable hardships to carve out a living in this arid and sometimes 
hostile environment. But, they persisted, and some thrived. When 
California was granted statehood in 1850, the residents became U.S. 
citizens. By the late 1800's the railroads had become part of the 
landscape, transporting new arrivals to the coastal regions of southern 
California. Some never got that far, instead making their home in what 
is now Riverside County.
  From the beginning, the Cahuilla people had recognized the 
restorative powers and healing benefits of the agua caliente or ``hot 
waters'' of the desert springs. Soon, residents and visitors made the 
pilgrimage to Palm Springs to soak in the hot springs and find comfort 
in the dry desert climate. Enterprising farmers in the Coachella Valley 
began raising dates, grapes and other crops that could withstand the 
dry conditions and often searing desert heat.
  During the same period, the Hemet and San Jacinto Valley attracted 
farmers and ranchers to its rich and productive lands. Cattle ranches, 
citrus groves, and a variety of different types of produce thrived in 
this fertile valley. But, as in all of southern California, the need 
for a steady supply of water limited the agricultural growth of the 
entire region.
  Today, most Americans would have a difficult time imagining the 
southern California of our not so distant past. The miracle that 
changed the landscape was the introduction of a reliable source of 
water for irrigation and development. Shortly after the turn of the 
century, that need resulted in the creation of the Salton Sea when the 
Colorado River breached the holding dikes that had been constructed to 
route fresh water for irrigation to the eastern Coachella Valley. With 
the creation of the Sea and the establishment of efficient irrigation 
systems the unthinkable happened. A once hostile desert became a rich 
agricultural center. And with the new political clout enjoyed by the 
southern California water districts and departments, eastern Riverside 
County found a dependable source of water for its residents and 
agricultural concerns.
  As the population grew in southern California, so did the reputation 
of the Hemet/San Jacinto and Coachella Valleys. Hemet became a favored 
destination for those seeking space, fresh air and community. The area 
around Palm Springs became a favorite vacation spot for luminaries as 
varied as Albert Einstein and Errol Flynn. Hollywood discovered the 
desert resort region and flocked to Palm Springs for sun, tennis, 
bathing, and later, golf. The region thrived and the population grew 
fast. By the middle of the last century, Palm Springs had become world 
renowned as a vacation haven.
  Following WWII, the growth in southern California continued at an 
unprecedented pace. The Inland Empire had not yet received its status 
as one of the fastest growing regions in the country, but, it was 
enjoying steady and significant population increases. Improved water 
delivery systems and infrastructure enabled the eastern Riverside 
County region to handle the rapid expansion. From a few sleepy desert 
towns, the Coachella Valley transformed itself into nine separate 
municipalities with nearly a quarter million residents--seemingly 
overnight. The communities of Hemet and San Jacinto, along with many 
smaller cities in the valley and pass region between the city of 
Riverside and the southern

[[Page H7560]]

deserts also grew. However, these communities had been established 
earlier as residential centers and their growth was not as dramatic. 
The city of Temecula and the surrounding countryside became a rich wine 
producing center, with several local wineries achieving international 
prominence.
  As California celebrates its sesquicentennial, the Inland Empire and 
the 44th district have achieved an important place in the history and 
future of the Golden State. The growth continues, the economic 
expansion is strong, and the diversity of the people and the 
environment prevail. The history of this great state is made rich 
through the contributions of individuals too numerous to list here, but 
to the people who chose to make southeastern California home their 
stories and names are familiar. As the inscription on the Capitol 
Building in Sacramento, California, reads: Give me men to match my 
mountains; the people who built the communities of the 44th 
Congressional District reflect that greatness and grand vision. Today, 
as we honor the great state of California on the occasion of her 150th 
anniversary, we honor also the memory of all those who contributed to 
her story. I want to extend special recognition to the people of 
California's 44th district, past and present, who made their personal 
commitment to the Golden State.
  Mr. ROHRABACHER. Mr. Speaker, when California was admitted as a state 
150 years ago, Southern California paled in comparison to the northern 
part of the state, which was famous for the gold rush and the new City 
of San Francisco. The 45th Congressional District and surrounding areas 
hardly qualified even as a rural backwater, being made up primarily of 
swamps and cattle ranches. In the late 1800's farming gradually 
replaced ranching and spurred the conversion of coastal swamps and 
river flood plains into habitable land. Huntington Beach, which is 
today a booming city of over 200,000 people that forms the core of the 
45th District, didn't even get its start until 1902, when a group of 
farmers and other investors decided to found ``Pacific City'' in an 
attempt to emulate the success of Atlantic City on the East Coast. This 
venture then got bought out by a group of Los Angeles businessmen 
headed by Henry Huntington, in whose honor the town was renamed when he 
brought his Pacific Electric Railway into town.
  The area that became the 45th District gained in population as 
tourism, the oil industry, and world war each took their turn as a spur 
to local growth. Our area played a major role in winning World War II, 
serving as the site for both the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station, 
which even today supplies a major portion of the Navy's firepower and 
the Santa Ana Army Airfield. This airfield was the staging ground for 
G.I.'s shipping to the war from around the country, and can be credited 
in and of itself as a major spur to Orange County's population growth 
as G.I.'s experienced the pleasant Southern California climate first 
hand and many moved their families there after the war. Although this 
huge airfield was decommissioned after the war, the land on which it 
sat was put to good use--it is now the site of John Wayne Airport, the 
Orange County Fairgrounds and Orange Coast College.
  Huntington Beach has become known during the last half of the 20th 
Century as ``Surf City,'' becoming the nation's prime area, hosting the 
first U.S. Surfing Championships in 1959 and major national and 
international surfing events since then.
  Just as with World War II, the Huntington Beach area played a major 
role in winning the Cold War, providing the home for much of the 
nation's aerospace industry. Famous corporate names from the past: 
Douglas Aircraft (later McDonnell Douglas) and North American Rockwell 
have come under the umbrella of the Boeing Corporation, which today is 
by far the region's largest employer and still plays a major role in 
producing aircraft, satellites and rockets for both our both our 
military and our nation's space program.
  It's appropriate that an area so closely identified with our nation's 
freedom became the final destination for a majority of Vietnamese 
refugees escaping communism after the Vietnam War. The 45th District is 
home to Little Saigon, the heart of the largest concentration of 
Vietnamese people in the world outside of Vietnam.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent a district that represents our 
nation's finest traditions in not only serving our country in the cause 
of freedom, but also in knowing how to have a good time. The 45th 
District epitomizes my own personal motto--``Fighting for Freedom and 
Having Fun.''
  Mr. COX. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise today to 
celebrate the sesquicentennial anniversary of statehood for the great 
state of California. For 12 years, I have had the privilege to 
represent the 47th Congressional district, which is nestled in the 
heart of Orange County. Our State was created out of territory ceded to 
the United States by Mexico in the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. It 
officially became the 31st State in 1850 with a population of 92,597.
  Orange County was created in 1889, after residents of the southern 
part of then Los Angeles County felt they were not getting the 
attention they deserved from county officials and wanted a county seat 
nearer home. Santa Ana, which had grown recently due to the discovery 
of silver in the Santa Ana Mountains, was named the county seat.
  Today, with a population of nearly 3 million people and an annual 
economic output of over $110 billion, Orange County is one of the most 
successful and diverse hi-tech centers of commerce in the world. Its 
economy is larger than all but 31 nations in the world--ranking ahead 
of Israel, Portugal, and Singapore. Orange County's diverse population 
is larger than 20 states, and its economy is bigger than 25 states. It 
is one of California's top exporting regions, behind only Silicon 
Valley and Los Angeles, and tied with San Francisco. Orange County 
exports more than $12 billion worth of goods each year, from computers 
to state-of-the-art medical equipment, biotechnology, and other ultra-
sophisticated technological goods. In just the last three years, high-
tech exports from Orange County companies have grown by 53 percent.
  Orange County is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the 
world, stretching for miles along the Pacific Ocean between Los Angeles 
and San Diego. The ``Places Rated Almanac'' has selected Orange County 
as the best place to live in the nation, ahead of more than 350 other 
metropolitan areas. Orange County is a national center for higher 
education. Universities and colleges in my district include the 
University of California, Irvine, where I serve on the Advisory Board 
of the world-class Brain Imaging Center, and Chapman University, on 
whose Board of Trustees I serve. Orange County has also been home to 
the world-famous Festival of the Arts and Pageant of the Masters for 68 
years. In addition, Laguna Beach, the southernmost point in my 
district, is a year-round haven for artists and craftsmen, and its 
entire coastline has been declared a ``Marine Life Refuge'' to protect 
and preserve the rich variety of marine life forms for all to observe 
and enjoy.
  The Anaheim Angels baseball team and the Anaheim Mighty Ducks hockey 
team make their homes in my district. The Anaheim Pond, home of the 
Ducks, is also the second most active concert venue in America, behind 
only Madison Square Garden. Finally, Orange County is home to the 
Ronald Reagan Federal Courthouse, authorized in legislation I wrote as 
a member of the House Public Works Committee in 1992. Once again, it is 
with great pride that I stand here today to mark 150 years of 
prosperity and leadership for the great state or California, and to 
recognize Orange County's important role in our state's history and 
future success.
  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to take a moment to 
recognize the great State of California. One hundred and fifty years 
ago, California became a part of the United States of America. On 
September 9, 1850, President Millard Fillmore signed a bill admitting 
California as the 31st State in the Union.
  In the early 1800's, settlers very slowly filtered into California 
until 1848, when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. Suddenly, people 
from all over the world looking to strike it rich flooded through San 
Francisco. They traveled up the Sacramento River to the gold fields. It 
was this discovery of gold that hastened California's statehood.
  In September 1849 a convention met at Monterey and adopted a state 
constitution. The constitution was approved by popular vote on November 
13, and on December 15 the first legislature met at San Jose to create 
an unofficial state government. The Compromise Measures of 1850, a 
series of congressional acts passed during August and September 1850, 
admitted California as a free, or nonslave, state. On September 9, 
1850, California became the 31st state in the Union. The state capital 
was moved successively from San Jose to Monterey, Vallejo, and Benicia. 
In 1854 it was located permanently at Sacramento.
  The 48th District of California, which I represent, was created in 
1982 after the 1980 Census. It has been described as the most agreeable 
climate in the continental United States. This district has the 
beautiful scenery, which is typical of California. The location 
occupies the southernmost portion of Orange County, the North County 
part of San Diego County and a small slice of Riverside County, the 
instant town of Temecula. It includes the seaside communities of San 
Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, where the swallows famously return 
every year. The well-known Old Spanish Mission at San Juan Capistrano 
is located in the quaint little town located above the shores of the 
Pacific, halfway between San Diego and Los Angeles.
  Inland, there are the newer communities of Mission Viejo and Laguna 
Niguel; just south of Pendleton in San Diego County are Oceanside and 
Vista. Farther inland amid the hills

[[Page H7561]]

are Fallbrook and, in Riverside County, Temecula, in the mid-1980s a 
corner-grocery town serving a vineyard district, now the center of an 
area with 100,000 people, mostly commuters to Orange County and 
Riverside attracted by low-priced homes and traditional values. Growth 
has been and continues to be a factor in this area of southern 
California.
  California has a rich history. It is the 3rd largest state in area 
and the largest state in population. California has the largest 
population of Native Americans, a continuing growing Hispanic 
population and a large Asian population, all of which help California 
to lead the nation in cultural diversity. I am proud not only to 
represent this area in Congress, but also to be a resident of the 
wonderful state of California. I would like to wish a Happy Anniversary 
to the 31st State of America.
  Mr. BILBRAY. Mr. Speaker, this is a great time to reflect on the 
greatness of our country. With California celebrating it's 150th 
anniversary of the state's admission to the union, one automatically 
recalls that inspiring phrase, ``Go West, young man!'' and the 
beginning of our trail blazing history. As Californians, we can rejoice 
in the adventurous and rugged spirit of our forefathers and be grateful 
that these men and women were willing to risk life and limb for a new 
and unknown life in California. Just envisioning those covered wagons 
poised on the pinnacle of the Sierra Mountains and looking down on the 
promised land brings a shiver to my soul. Those were truly trying times 
and those first California settlers were truly brave people.
  I am proud of my roots--my father is from the East, specifically 
Alabama, and my mother is from Northwest Australia. However, my family 
and I are grateful for those brave spirits who ventured from the East 
because we now have the opportunity to benefit from their risk and 
foresight.
  San Diego is the jewel of California, and I have had the privilege of 
representing one of the most beautiful and inspiring districts in our 
nation. San Diego is the area where Father Junipero Serra set up one of 
the first missions in California. This early history can be explored in 
the preserve of Old Town San Diego.
  Presently, the residents of San Diego relish in telling all of their 
friends and relatives outside of Southern California about the 
incredible weather they enjoy year round--70 degrees and no humidity! 
California's 49th congressional district boasts such natural wonders as 
the sensual coastline from its southernmost point in Imperial Beach to 
the rocky cliffs of Torrey Pines' nature preserve. The 49th also holds 
in its stead the tranquil, deep waters of the San Diego Bay, which is 
home to Sea World as well as large naval bases that rival the ports of 
Hawaii--North Island Naval Air Station and the 32nd Street Naval 
Station. With San Diego being blessed with both an awesome shoreline 
and an incredible bay, residents and tourists alike can enjoy surfing 
and sunning on the beach or sailing and kayaking on the bay all year 
round.
  An event that I enjoy the most is Sand Castle Days held every August 
in my hometown of Imperial Beach. This is a world-renown event that 
gathers the best amateur and professional sand castle designers from 
around the country and the world in the tiny Southern California beach 
town. Every year, we are surprised by the intricate designs created by 
the simple substance of sand.
  If cultural arts are on your agenda, San Diego has set the stage for 
such incredible Broadway productions as ``Damn, Yankees'' and a 
revision of ``Hair'' from creative playhouses like the La Jolla 
Playhouse and the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park. Each September for 
a weekend, the streets of downtown San Diego come alive with the hip 
and grooving sounds of homegrown musical groups as well as famous, 
well-established rock bands during a phenomenal music festival known as 
``Street Scene.'' The 49th also has a diverse collection of famous art 
museums--from the modern art of the La Jolla Contemporary Museum of Art 
to world classics at the San Diego Museum of Art or American artists at 
the Timken Museum of Art or native pieces from around the world 
displayed at the Mingei International Museum.

  Balboa Park is a cultural center located in the heart of the 49th 
District. It is a serene, green oasis situated in the middle of a 
bustling major metropolis. Not only is the San Diego Museum of Art 
located in this vast cultural enclave, but adults and children alike 
can learn about the wonders of science at the Reuben H. Fleet Science 
Center, delve into man's past at the Museum of Man, and be engulfed in 
the beauty surrounding us at the Natural History Museum.
  The most popular world famous attraction in the area is the San Diego 
Zoo. Just this past summer, our zoo became one of the first in history 
to have a baby Giant Panda live past her first year after being born in 
captivity. Hua Mei has become the biggest celebrity in San Diego. 
Visitors from all over the world have made special trips to catch a 
glimpse of this giant bundle of joy. But long before Hau Mei's birth, 
the world famous San Diego Zoo has seen the births of many beautiful 
creatures, such as black rhinos, giraffes, and many endangered species.
  Another famous site in San Diego is located on the island city of 
Coronado. Hollywood superstars have flocked to the legendary and 
historic Hotel Del Coronado. The ``Hotel Del'' built in 1888, as one of 
the oldest standing wood structures of Victorian architecture is a 
national historic landmark that has a rich and colorful heritage. Ten 
U.S. presidents have stayed in this extraordinary hotel, starting with 
Benjamin Harrison in 1891, and since Lyndon Johnson, every president 
since has visited the ``the talk of the Western world.'' Charles 
Lindbergh was honored at the Hotel Del after his successful 
transatlantic flight. Subsequently, the international airport in 
downtown San Diego is named after this famous aviator--Lindbergh Field. 
In 1958, the outrageously funny movie ``Some Like it Hot'' with Marilyn 
Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis used the Hotel Del as a stage and 
backdrop.
  Speaking of celebrities, San Diego has also been the home of such 
movie celebrities as Gregory Peck and Rachel Welch, who grew up on the 
beaches of La Jolla, and Eddie Vedder, lead singer for the popular rock 
group, Pearl Jam, spent much of his youth at the clubs and beaches of 
San Diego. Surfing sensation and Nobel Prize recipient Kary Mullis is a 
friend who continues his research at UCSD. Helen Copley is a powerful 
newspaper woman who still boasts the only major newspaper in the area, 
the San Diego Union Tribune. The famous scientist who discovered 
penicillin, Dr. Jonas Salk, called La Jolla home and also founded the 
internationally acclaimed Salk Institute, where scientists from around 
the world come to study and make scientific breakthroughs. Marine 
biologists enjoy the access to the sea from their perch in La Jolla and 
contribute to the Stephen Birch/Scripps Aquarium.
  Dr. Roger Revelle established a name and reputation in the area, and 
is responsible for the academic achievements and popularity of the 
University of California at San Diego. Other major universities in the 
49th District, include the private and catholic University of San 
Diego, San Diego State University, and Point Loma Nazarene College. 
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the same course played by professionals of 
the PGA at the public Torrey Pines Golf Course, while watching hang 
gliders glide off the rocky cliffs or sunbathers at world famous 
Black's Beach.
  Grabbing food in San Diego is a delicious and unique experience--from 
the quick service of authentic fish tacos at local sensation Rubio's 
Restaurants to the more formal and decadent dining at any of the 
restaurants located in the historical Gaslamp District in the heart of 
downtown San Diego. And no one can visit San Diego without sampling the 
delights of authentic Mexican fare while viewing the adobes and 
churches of the first San Diego settlers in historical Old Town. The 
activities, people and places in California's 49th Congressional 
District are as numerous and diverse as its residents. There is no 
other place like it in the world and it is an honor representing its 
interests and people in Congress.
  Happy Birthday, California! And a big thank you to those brave men 
and women who risked their lives to conquer the unknown and establish 
such a wonderful place as San Diego and the State of California.
  Mr. FILNER. Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of 
California's admission to the Union, I rise to bring attention to the 
50th Congressional District of California--an urban district in 
southern San Diego County and the southernmost district in California, 
bordering Mexico.
  I am proud that it is one of the most ethnically diverse 
congressional districts in the nation. No racial or ethnic group is in 
the majority: we have 45 percent Latino residents, 25 percent Anglo, 15 
percent African-American, and 15 percent Asian-American.
  Our residents include veterans, seniors, and working families. We are 
concerned that our children receive a quality education, that all our 
families have access to high-quality, affordable health care, that we 
invest our budget surplus to strengthen Social Security and Medicare, 
and that we fight to keep the promises that were made to our veterans.
  The southernmost neighborhood in my district, San Ysidro, California, 
is situated on the Mexican border and is the busiest border crossing 
between any two nations in the world! The proximity of Mexico provides 
both challenges and opportunities for my district--but we revel in the 
excitement of a truly binational community.
  To the east is Otay Mesa, primarily an industrial area with an 
expanding large-scale manufacturing base. Farther north are the cities 
of Chula Vista and National City, home to many residential areas and 
hundreds and hundreds of small businesses. One of the county's largest 
developments, Eastlake, is rapidly growing to the east of Chula Vista--
and Bonita, a neighborhood of middle-class homes

[[Page H7562]]

in an unincorporated community of the county, is nearby.
  At the northern border of the 50th district is the central portion of 
the city of San Diego, just south and east of downtown, with many 
neighborhoods that are experiencing gentrification by ``urban 
pioneers'' moving back from the suburbs.
  All in all, the people of the 50th congressional district represent 
the best of America. Industrious and ambitious, striving for a good 
life for our children and grandchildren, we work and play together in a 
largely harmonious blend of race, ethnicity, and religion. We believe 
in the American dream.
  I am proud to represent these fine men, women and children, and I am 
working hard in Congress to ensure the best for their future.
  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, on the 150th anniversary of California's 
entrance to the Union, it is with great pleasure that I introduce 
California's 51st district.
  California's 51st district covers most of North County, only minutes 
from downtown San Diego. North County, well known for it's beautiful 
beaches, ideal weather, and quiet lifestyle has proven attractive to 
the growing 650,000 who inhabit this region and the many who visit 
``America's Finest City'' and the surrounding area from all over the 
world.
  The 51st district encompasses the coastal towns of Carlsbad, 
Encinitas, Solana Beach, and Del Mar. Carlsbad is best known for its 
majestic flower fields and is the predominate supplier of commercially 
grown flowers on the West Coast. The flower fields are easily seen from 
1-5 as one makes their way down this coastal commute. Also, newly 
constructed Legoland' choose to call Carlsbad home. The 
amusement park opened in 1999.
  Del Mar is where the ``turf meets the surf'' and is home to the Del 
Mar Racetrack. One can watch the thoroughbreds and still have a view of 
the ocean from the grandstand. During the off-season, the Racetrack 
becomes the Del Mar Fairgrounds. This two-week fair has been a North 
County tradition since 1936. The fair features rides, livestock shows, 
exhibitions, agriculture, and local art. Over 1 million people visited 
the Del Mar Fair last year.
  Inland, the towns of San Marcos, Rancho Santa Fe, Escondido, and 
Poway lie among the rolling hills. Escondido is home to the world 
famous Wild Animal Park, established in 1969. This 1,800-acre wildlife 
preserve allows visitors to view herds of exotic animals as they might 
have been seen in their native Asia and Africa.
  A portion of the city of San Diego makes up the remainder of the 51st 
district. This area includes the former Miramar Naval Air Station. The 
base, made famous by the 1986 movie Top Gun, was home to the elite 
naval fighter pilot school of the same name. This naval base was 
converted to the Miramar Marine Corp Air Station in 1996. North County 
is also home to many veterans and active military who choose to make 
San Diego their permanent home during and after their military service.
  San Diego is also fast-becoming the center of the growing high-tech 
and bio-tech industries. Qualcomm, Cubic, Hewlett Packard, Sony, Nokia, 
Erickson, Titan, Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Pyxis, and the Immune Response 
Corporation all call San Diego home. These booming industries have 
brought San Diego to the forefront of these exciting new fields.
  With its sunny weather and stretch of coastline, it is not surprising 
that North County is one of the fastest growing areas in California. 
Mr. Speaker, I consider it a privilege to live in North County and an 
honored to serve and represent the people of the 51st district.
  Mr. HUNTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 150th 
anniversary of California's admission into the Union. I am fortunate to 
represent the 52nd Congressional District, a beautiful area along our 
international border with a rich history and culture. Home to the 
deserts and agriculture fields of Imperial County, as well as the 
mountains and urban areas of East San Diego County, the 52nd is as much 
diverse as it is unique.
  As the winter home of the Navy's Blue Angels, and thousands of 
``snowbirds'' from all over the country who come to enjoy the scenery 
and weather, Imperial County is known as the place ``Where the Sun 
Spends the Winter.'' It is the home of the Glamis Sand Dunes, the 
Brawley Cattle Call, and the best farm land in the country, which 
provides delicious fruits and vegetables the entire country enjoys 
year-round. Imperial County is also home to the largest body of water 
in California, the Salton Sea, as well some of the best Mexican food a 
person can find.
  San Diego County draws its name from San Diego de Alcala, a 
designation credited to Spaniard Don Sebastian Vizcaino, who sailed 
into what is now San Diego Bay on November 12, 1603, and renamed it in 
honor of his flagship and his favorite saint. The County of San Diego 
was established by the State Legislature on February 18, 1850, as one 
of the original 27 counties of California with an estimated population 
of at least 3,490.
  Today, almost 100,000 people and 5,000 businesses reside in San 
Diego's East County alone. Places like El Cajon, which means ``the 
box'' in Spanish because the city is completely surrounded by 
mountains, provides the perfect recreation spot with horseback riding, 
golf courses, campgrounds, parks and easy access to the many 
attractions of Southern California.
  Another city in East County, La Mesa, is known as the ``Jewel of the 
Hills'' to the 56,000 people who call this desirable city their home. 
La Mesa's location places it close to the cultural facilities, sports, 
recreation and water-related activities afforded by its proximity to 
the county's metropolitan center, beaches and bays.
  The 52nd Congressional District is made up of communities in which 
the residents and business people take an active role in protecting and 
enhancing the quality of living. The number of service clubs and 
organizations, school and church related groups, and other civic and 
social organizations, give tangible evidence of the vitality of its 
citizenry and their active interest in the community. It is a 
commitment to ``community'' that gives the 52nd a special identity.

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