[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 152 (Friday, November 30, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO ALTADENA'S 125TH ANNIVERSARY

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                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, November 30, 2012

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I, along with my colleague Representative 
Judy Chu, rise today to honor the community of Altadena, California 
upon its 125th anniversary.
  For over a century, this extraordinary community has grown and 
thrived while maintaining a fierce and admirable independence.
  In 1881, the land that would become Altadena was sold to John and 
Fred Woodbury. The two brothers would later open Altadena as a 
subdivision of the Pasadena Improvement Company in 1887 with the hopes 
of developing a residential neighborhood and attracting wealthy 
millionaires. They were initially successful, bringing in wealthy names 
such as Col. Charles Greene and Andrew McNally, but soon found the 
region was thrown into an economic depression as part of a larger 
national depression that lasted through much of the 1890's. Despite the 
national depression, ranchers and farmers continued to buy land in 
Altadena and expanded the crops that were farmed from grapes and 
oranges to include foods such as olives, walnuts, dates, and avocados. 
Many business magnates also came from the mid-west and built grand 
winter and retirement homes in Altadena.
  By the 1940's and 1950's, Altadena was a well-established community 
that continued to develop and flourish through housing development, 
modernization, and business growth. In the 1960's and 1970's, Altadena 
became more ethnically diverse, eventually making it one of the most 
integrated communities in Southern California. Today, Altadena has a 
diverse population of 43,000 nestled in the beautiful San Gabriel 
mountains.
  Altadena is a wonderful community that has fostered a number of 
remarkable, world-famous individuals. Notable Altadenans include 
Thaddeus S.C. Lowe, scientist and inventor, Richard Feynman, physicist, 
Zane Grey, western novelist and Marni Nixon, renowned soprano and 
actress.
  We are honored to recognize Altadena, with its rich cultural heritage 
and ask all Members to join us in congratulating Altadena upon its 
125th anniversary.

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