[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 85 (Friday, June 18, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1159]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING THE WAWONA HOTEL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 17, 2004

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Wawona Hotel 
on the occasion of their 125th anniversary. The Wawona Hotel in 
Yosemite National Park is acclaimed for its nostalgic charm, historic 
authenticity and picturesque setting.
  In 1855, Galen Clark, a miner who worked in the area Gold Camps, 
passed through the Wawona Valley area with tourists bound for Yosemite. 
Entranced by the beauty of the place, Clark constructed lodging near 
the main trail into Yosemite Valley, making it inevitable that 
travelers would stop along the way. In 1878, a kitchen fire destroyed 
all of Clark's buildings and the entire establishment was rebuilt in 
1879.
  Today, The Wawona Hotel is operated by Delaware North Companies Parks 
& Resorts at Yosemite and remains one of the most respected mountain 
resorts. Its historic wooden buildings, verandas overlooking sprawling 
green lawns and Victorian interiors continue to provide visitors with a 
perfect setting for a relaxing vacation.
  The Wawona Hotel is listed on the National Registry of Historic 
Places, and this year became a member of the National Trust Historic 
Hotels of America, a collection of hotels selected by the National 
Trust for Historic Preservation for historic integrity, architectural 
quality, outstanding preservation efforts, and stewardship.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the Wawona Hotel on the 
occasion of their 125th anniversary celebration. I urge my colleagues 
to join me in honoring the Wawona Hotel and wishing DNC Parks & Resorts 
at Yosemite many more years of continued success.

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