[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 56 (Tuesday, April 23, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E512]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF THE 300TH ANNIVERSARY OF FATHER JUNIPERO SERRA'S 
                                 BIRTH

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                            HON. LOIS CAPPS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 23, 2013

  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to commemorate the 300th 
anniversary of Father Junipero Serra's birth.
  Father Serra was born in Petra, Mallorca, Spain in 1713. After 
studying theology and being ordained to the Catholic priesthood, Serra 
left his beloved homeland in Mallorca and journeyed across continents 
and oceans in order to reach the New World.
  Upon Serra's arrival on the West Coast of North America in 1769, he 
began founding a chain of missions that would eventually stretch from 
San Diego in the south to Solano in the north. This chain of 21 
missions has developed into some of the central cities and towns of 
modern day California.
  In what is now my Congressional district, Father Serra founded 
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa. Since its establishment in 1772, 
this small Spanish outpost has grown into the beautiful city of San 
Luis Obispo.
  Today, Father Serra's legacy is still present in San Luis Obispo and 
throughout California. The cultural and spiritual heritage of Serra 
continues as an enduring, living tradition and has shaped various 
aspects of Californian life up to the present day. Indeed, a statue of 
Father Serra now stands in the United States Capitol's Statuary Hall in 
Washington, DC, attesting to his profound influence in the shaping of 
American history.
  This week, Palma de Mallorca, Spain will host a festival 
commemorating the occasion titled ``300 anos de Junip Serra (300 Years 
of Junipero Serra).'' I send my best wishes for a wonderful celebration 
as Spain recognizes Father Serra's significant contribution to American 
and Spanish history and reflects on his cultural and spiritual legacy.

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