[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF SONOMA CITY HALL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleague, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to honor the 100th anniversary 
of the Sonoma City Hall. This iconic building has long stood as a 
symbol of the unique community that is the city of Sonoma.
  City hall sits in the center of the 8-acre Sonoma Plaza, the largest 
town square in the State of California. Dedicated on September 7, 1908, 
the city hall was built using local basalt stone and originally 
designed with 4 identical facades, allowing merchants from any side of 
the square to boast that city hall faced their business.
  Surrounding the city hall on Sonoma Plaza are many historical 
buildings, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, Captain Salvador 
Vallejo's Casa Grande, the Presidio of Sonoma, the Blue Wing Inn, the 
Sebastiani Theatre, and the Toscano Hotel. Not far from city hall, on 
the northeast comer of the plaza, John C. Fremont led the Bear Flag 
Revolt in 1846, which would lead to California becoming the 31st State 
4 years later. The plaza has been a National Historic Landmark since 
1960 and still serves as the town's focal point, hosting many community 
festivals and drawing tourists all year round.
  In honor of this anniversary, city of Sonoma Historian George McKale 
has organized a commemoration committee to help celebrate this event 
with the community. Over the last year, members of the committee have 
arranged for a photo exhibition, as well as sponsoring a poster contest 
for local students, a lecture series, and a historic quarry hike, all 
to honor Sonoma's City Hall.
  Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we acknowledge the 
100th anniversary of Sonoma City Hall. In years to come, this beautiful 
and historic structure will continue to be one of the most memorable 
images of the city of Sonoma to residents and visitors alike.

                          ____________________