[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 127 (Wednesday, September 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION OF THE FOUNDING OF NATALIA, TEXAS

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                    HON. FRANCISCO ``QUICO'' CANSECO

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 19, 2012

  Mr. CANSECO. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today to recognize and 
honor the centennial celebration of the founding of Natalia, Texas.
  Natalia, which is located approximately 30 miles southwest of 
downtown San Antonio, was founded in 1912 by the Medina Irrigation 
Company. The town was named after Natalie Pearson, daughter of Fred 
Stark Pearson, who oversaw the irrigation company and building of the 
Medina Dam. During the town's application process for a post office the 
following year, Natalie's name was misspelled and the town became known 
as Natalia.
  After the deaths of Pearson and his wife, who were passengers on the 
ill-fated Lusitania which was sunk by German forces in 1915, the Medina 
Irrigation Company went bankrupt and was subsequently reorganized under 
the name of Medina Irrigated Farms in 1931. Despite the tough economic 
environment in the U.S. during that time, Charles F. C. Ladd was 
successful in selling bonds in the amount of $2.5 million to pay for 
the Medina valley irrigation and to create a new loan fund for 
prospective land purchasers. As a result, the town prospered and 
increased its population from 150 in 1933 to 400 in 1939.
  Today, Natalia is home to more than 1,400 people and is a vibrant 
community that is home to many families and businesses. Its centennial 
celebration will be marked with proud and exciting festivities that 
symbolize Natalia's wonderful history. I am proud to recognize this 
special event and have the opportunity to represent Natalia in the 
United States House of Representatives.

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