[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 38 (Thursday, March 6, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E319]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         TRIBUTE TO NELDA C. AND H.J. LUTCHER STARK FOUNDATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEVIN BRADY

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 6, 2008

  Mr. BRADY of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
congratulate the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation on the 
reopening of Shangri La in Orange, TX.
  In the 1930s, Lutcher Stark named his private gardens along Adams 
Bayou after the mythical mountain utopia in James Hilton's bestselling 
book, Lost Horizon. Hundreds of azalea bushes were planted along with 
other flowers and the gardens were sometimes open to the public and to 
birdwatchers. Shangri La drew thousands of visitors during those times.
  Shangri La was closed in 1958 because of a devastating snowstorm that 
destroyed thousands of azaleas and the gardens remained closed for 40 
years. In the book and later in a movie, a bell rings when a visitor 
enters Shangri La. The bell will once again ring on March 12, 2008 to 
announce that the 252 acre botanical garden and nature center is again 
open to the public.
  Shangri La is a remarkable achievement and I predict that it will be 
a magnificent eco-tourism attraction. It is divided into two sections--
the designed botanical gardens that will have changing flowers with the 
seasons, and the nature center left in a natural state. Education is 
one of the main goals with various areas for learning for ages from 
pre-kindergarten to graduate university degrees.
  Shangri La is the first complex in Texas, and only the 50th in the 
world, to be awarded the rare ``platinum'' rating by the U.S. Green 
Building Council. The rating recognizes the most ecologically ``green'' 
complexes in the world and is known as ``LEED,'' for Leadership in 
Energy and Environmental Design. The president of the Council has said 
``Shangri La will be a showcase for high-performance, energy-efficient, 
healthy design, and an inspiration for others.''
  Buildings have been constructed using recycled materials, when 
available, and have been designed to be energy efficient. Thirty-six 
solar photovoltaic panels create electricity for the complex and its 
boats and carts. Boardwalks in the swamp are made of ``boards'' of 
recycled plastic and wood. A closed loop, geothermal heating and 
cooling system pumps water from an 800-foot-deep-well, allowing Shangri 
La to take advantage of the consistent temperatures deep within the 
earth. The roofing is designed to reflect heat and collect rainwater in 
large cisterns.
  In 2005, Hurricane Rita devastated Shangri La at the beginning of its 
construction phase. Viewing the situation as an opportunity, the many 
fallen trees were incorporated into the construction of Shangri La 
facilities.
  Madam Speaker, it is an honor to represent Orange, TX in the U.S. 
House of Representatives and I urge you to join me in congratulating 
Shangri La on its grand opening and their commitment to the environment 
and the community.

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