[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 99 (Thursday, July 11, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1050-E1051]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               TRIBUTE TO THE CITY OF COLTON, CALIFORNIA

                                  _____
                                 

                          HON. GARY G. MILLER

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2013

  Mr. GARY G. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute 
today to the city of Colton, California, as their community celebrates 
their 126th birthday this week.
  Colton is a growing center for new business, residential and 
employment opportunities in the County of San Bernardino. Colton also 
offers a well-balanced community with affordable housing and many 
family support and public safety programs. Settled in the 1770's by 
explorers from Mexico, Colton was formed when the Southern Pacific 
Railway pushed the final transcontinental leg though on its way to Los 
Angeles in 1875. The city derived its name from Civil War General David 
Colton, also the Vice President of the Southern Pacific Railroad 
Company.
  Since incorporation in 1887, Colton's population has grown to 52,940. 
The city's motto of

[[Page E1051]]

``The Hub City'' truly fits. Activity associated with the railroad and 
the citrus orchards made Colton a busy place, with many business and 
residents working to support railroad operations. In South Colton, 
where many railroad workers lived, residents built their own homes 
often using the disassembled wooden crates from railroad shipments as 
building materials. Established in 1882, the Colton Railroad Crossing 
is one of the busiest railroad intersections in the Nation. A $270 
million project is in process to replace this crossing with a fly-over 
to raise the east-west Union Pacific tracks over the north-south 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe tracks.
  The residents of Colton have worked hard to make their city one of 
the best places in Southern California to work, live, and enjoy life. 
Colton is a diverse community where residents can pursue their dreams 
in an environment abundant with opportunities for educational and 
economic advancement. It is indeed my pleasure to represent the 
residents of this beautiful city, who have contributed much of their 
time towards making Colton a destination for visitors and a home for 
those seeking a sense of community and a high quality of life.
  Mr. Speaker, on this very special year for the City of Colton, please 
join me in commemorating their one hundred and twenty sixth 
anniversary.

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