[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 102 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E828]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 TRIBUTE TO HONOR THE SILICON VALLEY LEADERSHIP GROUP ON ITS FORTIETH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2017

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Silicon Valley 
Leadership Group (SVLG) as it celebrates its fortieth anniversary. 
Founded by David Packard in 1978, SVLG advocates on behalf of Silicon 
Valley businesses in the interest of expanding the economy and 
maintaining a high quality of life in Silicon Valley. Under the superb 
leadership of CEO Carl Guardino, the approximately 400 member companies 
constitute one in every three private sector jobs in Silicon Valley.
   The Leadership Group has built mightily upon David Packard's legacy 
by playing a key role in many critical undertakings, including: the 
establishment of a permanent U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 
Silicon Valley; establishing the Housing Trust Fund to create 
affordable housing; creating new employment opportunities for women; 
and advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. SVLG has been the 
unquestioned leader in the development of transportation improvements, 
including securing funding for the electrification of Caltrain to 
replace diesel trains with high-performance electric-powered trains; 
several successful efforts to expand BART to San Jose; and the 
enhancement of expressways, local roads, transit and highways to 
provide safer and more efficient commutes for Silicon Valley employees.
   Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
expressing our collective gratitude to the premier organization of 
Silicon Valley for its extraordinary contributions to the economic 
health and quality of life in Silicon Valley. We offer our 
congratulations on the occasion of its four decades of accomplishments 
which have made our region the economic engine of our nation's economy 
and have strengthened our country in countless ways.

                          ____________________