[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 138 (Tuesday, October 23, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1720]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING THE MODESTO ARCH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 23, 2012

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and honor the 
rich heritage of the Modesto Arch as it celebrates 100 years of 
symbolic history in the Central Valley.
  Early settlements in the great Central Valley of California were 
established along the only transportation routes available at the 
time--the rivers. In 1854, Stanislaus County had a population under 
1,000 individuals. The county was named after Estanislao, a Native 
American who fought battles along the rivers in the area. A statue was 
recently dedicated in the Stanislaus County Courthouse Park to honor 
Chief Estanislao.
  If you've lived in Modesto for any length of time, you've probably 
heard the story of how the city got its name. Originally laid out by 
the Central Pacific Railroad, there was an effort made to name the new 
village after one of the people involved with the development of the 
railroad venture--William C. Ralston, a San Francisco banker. Not 
wanting his name to be associated with something so new, he declined 
``modestly''--hence the name and the legend of Modesto.
  In 1871, Modesto was voted the county seat of Stanislaus County; and 
from then on, it became the permanent trading center of the county. In 
1884, it was incorporated; and in the same year, steps were taken to 
organize irrigation districts to supply water for the surrounding 
lands, which were devoted to grain growing and cattle. It was not until 
1904, that the long fight for irrigation was won and the irrigation 
works were completed. From that point, colonization and development had 
been rapid and Modesto has grown as the metropolis within the county.
  In 1912, the Modesto Arch--located at 9th and I Streets--was 
constructed by the Modesto Booster Club, founders of the Modesto 
Chamber of Commerce. The arch spanned the entrance to the city for many 
years. Other than a short move during the Ninth Street expansion and a 
recent refurbishment, there has never been a real threat to dismantle 
the city's most famous landmark. There are 696 light bulbs on the arch, 
and it was christened with a bottle of canal water.
  The unique Modesto Arch is inscripted with ``Water, Wealth, 
Contentment, Health,'' which was selected over ``Nobody's Got Modesto's 
Goat.''
  One hundred years later, Modesto's esteemed landmark has been 
restored to its original glory. Community volunteers developed plans to 
update the lighting, patch the concrete, restore the original color 
scheme, replace the flag poles, and reinforce the structure, so the 
Arch will stand as a Modesto icon for another century.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating with the Modesto Chamber 
of Commerce and the City of Modesto for their efforts in protecting a 
landmark and the heritage of our community. The Arch bears witness to 
Modesto's past and future. Congratulations on the last 100 years and 
the restoration effort to keep ``Water, Wealth, Contentment, Health'' 
for generations to come.

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