[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 14 (Thursday, February 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E165]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE PEOPLE OF SAN GABRIEL

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2002

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the people of San 
Gabriel, California as they celebrate the 75th anniversary of their 
legendary and beautiful San Gabriel Civic Auditorium.
  Throughout its rich history, the Auditorium has played host to 
hundreds of performances delighting audiences from the San Gabriel 
Valley and around the world. The Auditorium has also been admired for 
its beauty and historical character by hundreds of thousands of 
residents of nearby cities and visitors to Southern California. The San 
Gabriel Civic Auditorium was designed and built by John Steven 
McGroarty, from nearby Tujunga, and was dedicated on March 5, 1927. 
McGroarty went on to become the first poet laureate of California and a 
U.S. Congressman from 1935 to 1939 representing the region of Southern 
California that I am proud to serve. McGroarty built the theater 
specifically for his production, ``Mission Play,'' which told the story 
of the founding of the California missions by the Franciscans under the 
leadership of Father Junipero Serra. McGroarty designed the facade of 
the theatre to look much like his favorite California mission, San 
Antonio de Padua in Monterey County. The ``Mission Play'' ran for five 
years and gave a total of 3,198 performances.
  The theatre was closed in 1932 during the height of the Great 
Depression. But a group of concerned San Gabriel residents formed a 
citizens' committee with the goal of having the city purchase the 
theatre and reopen it. Thankfully, they were successful, and in 1945 
the San Gabriel Civic Auditorium re-opened its doors again to the 
community. Since its re-opening, the theatre has seen a wealth of 
America's greatest performers. Notables such as Frank Sinatra, Tony 
Bennett, Ginger Rogers, Raymond Burr, Jo Anne Worley, and even Bob Hope 
have graced its fine stage.
  This year, the same stage will play host to a number of culturally 
diverse performances and festivities. The first of these performances 
will be the music of the Orchestra of the Californias. This newly 
formed orchestra is a product of bi-national cooperation. Formed by the 
Commission of the Californias, under the auspices of Governor Gray 
Davis of California, Governor Leonel Cota-Montano of Baja California 
Sur, and Governor Eugenio Elorduy-Walther of Baja California, the 
Orchestra of the Californias has become the headline performer of a 
musical tour throughout California and Mexico. This is the first time 
that the governors of the three Californias have joined to present such 
a significant cultural achievement. On February 15, 2002, the San 
Gabriel Civic Auditorium will be the only theatre in Los Angeles County 
to welcome the Orchestra of the Californias. Under the direction of 
maestro David Atherton, the orchestra will play an assortment of 
classical favorites for what I am sure will be an appreciative 
audience.
  I ask all Members of Congress to join Congresswoman Hilda Solis and 
me in congratulating the people of San Gabriel as they celebrate the 
75th year of their beautiful San Gabriel Civic Auditorium.

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