[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE 125TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHABOT SPACE AND SCIENCE CENTER

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                            HON. BARBARA LEE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2008

  Ms. LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the extraordinary 
history of the Chabot Space and Science center as it celebrates 125 
years of serving our community and literally expanding our 
understanding of the universe.
  In 1883 the Oakland Observatory was founded through a gift from the 
prestigious Mr. Anthony Chabot to the City of Oakland. Originally 
located in downtown Oakland, the observatory provided a public 
telescope to the community and served as the official timekeeping 
station for the entire Bay Area for decades. Anthony Chabot, a 
prominent businessman throughout the Greater Bay Area, died only five 
years after the creation of the observatory, however in that short time 
the observatory had already become an integral part of the community. 
Due to its increased use and immense popularity, the observatory has 
consistently grown and improved throughout the past century.
  In 1915 the observatory was moved to the Oakland Hills, and in the 
mid-1960s the facility was considerably expanded with the addition of a 
90-seat planetarium, laboratories, classrooms, workshops, an exhibit 
room, and a library. By this time, it had been renamed as the Chabot 
Science Center. Until 1977, the science center was staffed mainly by 
the dedicated personnel and volunteers of the Oakland Unified School 
District and visited frequently by public school students. 
Unfortunately, this ended when seismic safety concerns terminated 
access to the original observatory facility.
  Eager to reinstate the educational opportunities such a facility 
would bring the young people of the Bay Area, the Chabot Observatory 
and Science Center (COSC) was formed in 1989 as a Joint Powers Agency 
with the City of Oakland, the Oakland Unified School District, and the 
East Bay Regional Park District. Guided by the Eastbay Astronomical 
Society, this collaboration has exemplified the energy and 
contributions of this remarkable non-profit organization which has 
facilitated the renewal and revitalization of the center in the last 
two decades. The fruit of many years of dedicated leadership from 
several community groups, individuals, and local elected officials, 
construction of the new Science Center began in May, 1998.
  The Chabot Observatory and Science Center became the Chabot Space and 
Science Center in 2000--a name which better conveyed the organization's 
focus on astronomy and the space sciences, while communicating both the 
broad range and the technologically advanced nature of programs 
available in the new Science Center. On August 19, 2000 the new 86,000-
square-foot, state-of-the-art science and technology education facility 
on a 13-acre site opened to the public.
  On September 13, 2008 the Chabot Space and Science Center celebrated 
its 125 year anniversary. The legacy, promising future, and unique 
character of the Chabot Space and Science Center stands as an 
accomplishment for our entire community. On behalf of the residents of 
California's 9th Congressional District, I am pleased to applaud the 
tireless volunteers, staff, and relentless supporters of this 
indispensible asset to our community. Most of all, I would like to 
congratulate the residents of the Greater East Bay for their 
participation in making the 9th Congressional District one of the most 
diverse, active, and enlightened areas in the nation. May the Chabot 
Space and Science Center continue to enrich the lives of our people for 
many generations to come.

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