[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 8 (Tuesday, February 1, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E131]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INAUGURAL LIGHTING OF THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES' OFFICIAL WELCOMING 
                  MONUMENT, THE VINCENT THOMAS BRIDGE

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JUANITA MILLENDER-McDONALD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 1, 2005

  Ms. MILLENDER-McDONALD. Mr. Speaker, I rise ask for unanimous consent 
to address the House for five minutes.
  Last Sunday, January 30, it was my pleasure to join with Los Angeles 
Mayor Jim Hahn, Council members Janice Hahn and Tom LaBong, State 
Senator Alan Lowenthal, the widow and family of the late California 
Assemblyman Vincent Thomas and the citizens of Los Angeles for the 
Inaugural Lighting of the Official Welcoming Monument for the City of 
Los Angeles--the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
  In this time of inaugurations, it is fitting to recognize the bridge 
that is an integral link to one of this Nation's most active ports and 
that will serve as a guiding light for economic growth to our city, our 
State and our country.
  Los Angeles is a world-class city and it is the primary point of 
entry into the United States for people and commerce throughout the 
Pacific Rim. In fact, many consider Los Angeles to be the capital of 
the Pacific Rim.
  The Vincent Thomas Bridge represents the Gateway into the United 
States and I can think of no greater monument to our world-class city 
and to the great people of Los Angeles and the southern California 
region.
  Sunday's event was the culmination of the collective efforts of a 
broad section of Los Angelinos over the last 16 years. This monument 
will serve as a beacon for California, the Nation and the World as to 
all that is good and great about Los Angeles.
  I want to take this time to congratulate the members of the Vincent 
Thomas Bridge Lighting Committee of San Pedro and their President, 
Louis Dominguez for the hard work they have done to help make today 
happen.
  Their efforts in raising the $1,002,657 necessary to realize this 
project are to be commended. I would also like to thank the Port of Los 
Angeles and the Department of Water and Power for their major funding 
of this project.
  Nestled in the San Pedro and Wilmington communities, the 41-year-old 
Vincent Thomas Bridge is named for the late State assemblyman who 50 
years ago led the fight in the California legislature to build the 
bridge. Today it is a vital transportation link for the Port of Los 
Angeles.
  But the Vincent Thomas Bridge also brings regional economic forces 
that have a profound impact on our regional and national economies.
  As the southern California region continues to grow, so does the 
significance of the Vincent Thomas Bridge.
  The Vincent Thomas Bridge connects the Ports of Los Angeles and Long 
Beach, creating the largest port complex in the country and third 
largest in the world. Together, these ports are responsible for upwards 
of 45 percent of the containerized cargo that enter our country. In 
addition, approximately 80 percent of the goods that come into this 
country from the Pacific Rim come through these two ports.
  These ports are true economic engines.
  In 2002, the annual value of the trade handled by Southern 
California's two ports was $172 billion. It is estimated that in 2010 
that number will grow to $253 billion a year.
  In 2002, trade through southern California ports supported over 3.7 
million jobs nationwide.
  As a Senior Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure 
Committee in Washington, I can tell you that I too have fought to make 
sure that the Nation knows the importance of our bridges, highways and 
ports in Los Angeles County to the economic well being of our country.
  The goods that move through the southern California ports impact us 
all, some States more than others.
  For example, annually $16 billion worth of goods move through our 
ports to New York, that is $7.8 billion a month. Illinois receives $12 
billion a year and $1 billion a month in goods from southern 
California. And Texas receives $11.8 billion a year or $983 million a 
month.
  I could go on, but instead would like to extend a standing invitation 
to my colleagues to visit this bridge and to visit our ports here in 
Los Angeles and Long Beach so that they too can get a first hand look 
at one of the major economic engines that helps drive our national 
economy.

                          ____________________