[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 115 (Thursday, September 12, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1570]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF CITYHOOD

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 12, 2002

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to 
congratulate the citizens and civic leaders of Victorville, California 
on the 40th anniversary of cityhood for the Mojave Desert community. 
The history of this rapidly growing city is a fascinating glimpse of 
the growth of the inland areas of California.
  Like many of the towns of the Southwest, Victorville began its 
existence as a railroad stop. Around 1885, a station was established at 
the Mojave River crossing on what ultimately became the Santa Fe 
Railway's on its Mojave Desert. It was named for Jacob Nash Victor, a 
railroad construction superintendent who was a pioneer in the early 
development of the expansion of the railroad to the west. In 1901 the 
US Postal Service renamed the city to Victorville to eliminate a name 
duplication problem with Victor, Colorado.
  When it was incorporated on Sept. 21, 1962, the city of Victorville 
had grown to just over 8,000 residences; by 1995 the city boasted a 
bustling population of 60,649 and had increased its size to 67.68 sq. 
miles, an increase of over 58 sq. miles. Rich soil and an abundance of 
water encouraged the development of the agricultural community. Large 
deposits of limestone and granite led to the cement manufacturing 
industry, which has emerged as the most important sector of commerce in 
the Victor Valley.
  With the historic Route 66 running through Victorville and heading on 
up to Chicago, the town has always provided numerous activities for 
tourists, included a Route 66 museum and the San Bernardino County 
Fair. The city has become the commercial hub of the Victor Valley, 
which includes more than 300,000 people in a wide range of communities.
  One of the most important national connections with Victorville began 
in 1941 with the construction of the Victorville Army Airfield. Later 
renamed George Air Force Base, the base construction was completed on 
May 18, 1943. When fully activated, the base housed two jet fighter 
wings of the Tactical Air Command whose primary aircraft was the F-4 
phantom Wild Weasel, which provided vital electronic reconnaissance 
from the Vietnam War through the Persian Gulf War. The base also 
employed over 6,000 military and civilian personnel. In January 1989 
the Secretary of Defense announced the closure of the base. In the past 
decade since the closure, Victorville annexed the base, renamed it the 
Southern California Logistics Airport, and has turned it into a booming 
new commercial center and international cargo airport that is expected 
to serve the entire Southwest region.
  Mr. Speaker, I have proudly represented the City of Victorville for 
more than two decades in Congress, and I have watched it grow into a 
dynamic city that is well-governed and fiscally sound. The City Council 
now oversees a budget of $77.6 million for 69,298 citizens who are 
known for their friendliness, self-sufficiency and optimism. Please 
join me in congratulating the city leaders and the community for their 
40 years of cityhood, and wishing them continued success in the future.

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