[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E189]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE SOUTH 
                   SAN FRANCISCO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JACKIE SPEIER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2013

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the one hundredth 
birthday of the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. It has a 
remarkable record of leadership during times of enormous change within 
this self-described Industrial City.
   One hundred years ago, South San Francisco had approximately 4,000 
residents. Its founders were ranchers, meat packers, and stockyard 
owners, but the remaining population included laborers, lumber yard 
owners, dry good merchants, bar owners, and all of the other 
entrepreneurs of an early 20th century, developing community. It was 
from this rich mix of Americana that the Chamber of Commerce sprang, 
and it has been devoted to the success of the community ever since.
   World War II brought enormous changes to the Industrial City. Steel 
mills sprang up and labor poured into South San Francisco to meet the 
demands of shipbuilding around San Francisco Bay. After the war, 
neighborhoods followed as the steel mills switched to non-war 
production and the middle class found new homes and new jobs. Food 
processors, warehousing and services related to nearby San Francisco 
airport, such as freight forwarding, flourished. Both during this 
period and since this time, the Chamber of Commerce represented 
business before the City Council, and many Chamber members served in 
positions of leadership throughout the city.
   The transformation of South San Francisco began with the birth of 
the biotechnology industry in the 1980s. The dormant steel mills were 
torn down, and new offices and laboratories sprouted like daisies 
across the eastern side of the city. This renaissance was supported by 
an active business community led by the Chamber of Commerce. Before the 
council and before the citizens of South San Francisco, the Chamber 
made the case that the future of the city was in science and 
technology. The Chamber also urged renovations of Grand Avenue, the 
building of public improvements, and encouraged city leaders to rebuild 
South San Francisco as a cosmopolitan community.
   As I can attest from personal experience, the schools of South San 
Francisco are central to the community. The South San Francisco Chamber 
of Commerce for many years has organized generous scholarships for 
graduating high school seniors and assisted in raising funds for 
special school events.
   Today, the South San Francisco Chamber of Commerce is a key point of 
contact in the economic life of the city. Developers, investors, and 
existing businesses appreciate Chamber support before the city council 
and state and federal officeholders. The importance of the Chamber can 
be seen by the longevity of some of its most prominent members, 
including the California Water Service Company, 67 years; Pacific Gas & 
Electric Company, 67 years; Poetsch & Peterson, 67 years; Galli's 
Sanitary Bakery, 67 years; South City Lumber & Supply, 67 years; 
Bronstein Music, 65 years; Kaiser Permanente, 64 years; Giffra 
Enterprises, 64 years; Giorgi Brothers, 64 years; Clearlite Trophies, 
57 years; and Poletti Realty, 57 years.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask that the House of Representatives join with me 
today to celebrate one hundred years of leadership by the South San 
Francisco Chamber of Commerce. While there have been many physical 
changes to the city during this time, the Chamber is an example of the 
most enduring characteristic of South San Francisco--it is welcoming. 
We honor this tradition and hope for the Chamber's continued success in 
the years ahead.

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