[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 180 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1524-E1525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           COMMEMORATING THE 175TH ANNIVERSARY OF TEJON RANCH

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2018

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 175th 
anniversary of Tejon Ranch. For nearly two centuries, Tejon Ranch has 
been among California's most essential hubs for commerce.
  Spread across over 270,000 acres of Central California's southern 
mountainous reaches, the land that would become Tejon Ranch has a rich 
history predating California's statehood. Tejon Ranch was initially 
established through several Mexican land grants, the first being Rancho 
el Tejon issued in 1843. Edward Beale, a hero of the Mexican-American 
War, purchased the Rancho el Tejon land grant in 1865, and he quickly 
followed this purchase by buying the neighboring Rancho Los Alamos, 
Agua Caliente, and Rancho de Castac. Together, these four parcels 
comprise Tejon Ranch as it is known today.
  Under Beale's direction, Tejon Ranch developed into an integral 
economic component of a rapidly-growing Kern County, becoming the 
county's premiere cattle ranch operation by the time of Beale's death 
in 1893. In 1915, Tejon Ranch solidified its place in California 
history with the construction of the Ridge Route, a pivotal roadway 
that connected Northern and Southern California through the state's 
Central Valley for the first time. Though it has changed and expanded 
over the years, portions of the original route now form a key artery of 
Interstate 5 and is driven by millions each year.
  Today, Tejon Ranch continues to play a key role in Kern County's 
economy and culture. While cattle ranching can still be found on Tejon 
Ranch, Tejon has expanded its business footprint to new industries, 
drawing companies from around the world to invest in California. Most 
recently, Foreign Trade Zone

[[Page E1525]]

#276, which includes Tejon Ranch, was re-established earlier this year, 
doubling the previous designation in square footage and improving the 
flow of commerce throughout California. Finally, land at Tejon Ranch 
has been used to honor our nation's veterans at the Bakersfield 
National Cemetery, which offers our heroes a dignified place of final 
rest amid the stunning vistas of the Tehachapi Mountains.
  Tejon Ranch is also a keystone region for ecological conservation. 
Established on June 17, 2009, the Tejon Ranch Conservancy was the 
product of a collaborative effort between the Tejon Ranch Company and 
conservation groups to protect the one-of-a-kind natural beauty of the 
Tejon Ranch landscape. To meet these needs, an overwhelming majority of 
ranch property--an immense 240,000 acres--has been dedicated to 
conservation. This land is now used by visitors from around the world 
to explore the breathtaking natural gem of the Tehachapi Mountains and 
to view wildlife, such as the California Condor, in their natural 
environment.
  Tejon Ranch is a one-of-a-kind place that has been critical to the 
success of Kern County. While Tejon Ranch has offered our community 
innumerable economic and recreational benefits, it has above all else 
illustrated what it means to be a good steward of the land. Tejon Ranch 
has left a defining mark on our county, our state, our nation, and 
indeed the world. There's no other place on earth like Tejon Ranch and 
this land and the values it represents remain a key component of Kern 
County's core essence. I am confident that it will continue to play 
this role for centuries to come.

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