[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 135 (Friday, September 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1461]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING THE CITY OF THOUSAND OAKS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 18, 2014

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
the City of Thousand Oaks as it celebrates 50 years as a thriving and 
prosperous municipality in Ventura County, California. I would like to 
congratulate the city, along with its residents, on this momentous 
milestone.
   The City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated on October 7th, 1964, and 
was named for the beautiful and bountiful oak trees that are the 
hallmark and symbol of the city to this day. In the early years of its 
incorporation, nearly 20,000 people lived within the 14.28 square miles 
that was Thousand Oaks.
   Since its incorporation, Thousand Oaks has developed into a 
flourishing community, growing to 56 square miles with over 127,000 
residents. This successful expansion is due to collaborative 
partnerships among city administrators and involved citizens working 
towards a vision to create a family-oriented community.
   Additionally, city officials have done an outstanding job to 
maintain the healthy growth of this community, while conserving and 
integrating the natural beauty that surrounds Thousand Oaks through its 
development. Over the last 50 years, more than 15,000 square acres of 
land have been designated as ``Open Space,'' including more than 75 
miles of trails that have been protected to ensure that residents of 
the city today can enjoy the same beauty that the Chumash Native 
Americans experienced hundreds of years ago.
   While this natural acreage gives our community the best of nature, 
another source of pride is the Civic Arts Plaza, which is a jewel of 
cultural arts. Thousand Oaks has become a beacon for our region 
featuring world-class entertainment, musicals, concerts, children's 
shows, ballets, and much more. In addition, some of the city's most 
impressive accomplishments have come in the realm of infrastructure 
improvements, which have significantly enhanced the quality of life and 
ensured the mobility of its residents and businesses.
   Over the last five decades, the City of Thousand Oaks has grown into 
an exceptional and premiere community that has been recognized for 
being one of the most desirable places in all of California to live, 
work, recreate, and raise a family. It is my sincere pleasure to 
congratulate the City of Thousand Oaks on their 50th anniversary!

                          ____________________