[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 7, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E283]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN HONOR OF THE MONTEREY CIVIC CLUB

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 7, 2006

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Monterey Civic Club 
which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. The Monterey 
Civic Club was founded in 1906 with the purpose of working to improve, 
beautify and promote the welfare of Monterey and help preserve its rich 
history. Looking back, I would like to applaud the work they have done 
over the past 100 years, and I look forward to the work they will 
continue to undertake in the next 100 years.
  The Monterey Civic Club is located in the ``House of the Four 
Winds'', a historic adobe built in the 1830s by Thomas Oliver Larkin, 
the first and only American Consul to Alta California. This house has 
undergone many uses, including: a store under Governor Alvarado during 
the American occupation, headquarters for Secretary of State H.W. 
Halleck, and the location of the first Hall of Records for the State of 
California. The Monterey Civic Club bought this historic adobe in 1914 
and restored it. Today, ``The House of the Four Winds'' is home to what 
is believed to be the oldest women's clubhouse in continuous use in the 
United States.
  Since its inception, the Monterey Civic Club has undertaken several 
projects and donated thousands of dollars to local charities dedicated 
to improving the quality of life in Monterey. Among its accomplishments 
are: building a bridge over muddy Del Monte Avenue in 1907, 
participating in adobe tours, maintaining and preserving the historic 
``House of the Four Winds'', and the paintings and articles of 
historical significance located therein. Another of the club's 
beneficial endeavors is the lively and traditional ``El Baile de Los 
Cascarones,'' a pre-Lent ``Cascarone Ball'' held annually since 1939. 
The ticket sales from this traditional Spanish ball go to local 
charities and maintenance of the adobe.
  Mr. Speaker, it is organizations like the Monterey Civic Club, with 
their dedication to preserving and improving the character of our local 
communities that make life unique in this vast and beautiful nation of 
ours. A distinct sense of identity is created by building upon local 
heritage, creating pride in the community. It is this sense of local 
pride that influences people to get involved in their communities, 
initiating the type of citizen service that our democracy depends on. 
The Monterey Civic Club's 100th anniversary is a commendable 
achievement, and I salute the club's numerous accomplishments.

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