[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 209 (Thursday, December 11, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S8668]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             150th ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF SANTA MONICA

 Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. President, I rise today to honor and celebrate 
a milestone of 150 years in the making--one that began long before 
Santa Monica appeared on a map and long before the first plots of land 
were sold.
  When discussing the inception of Santa Monica, we often start in July 
of 1875. That summer, U.S. Senator John P. Jones and Colonel Robert S. 
Baker came together to imagine a town. What was once a vision discussed 
between two business partners soon became the city we know and love 
today. Senator Jones was a pioneer of California who settled in Trinity 
County in 1850 and served in elected office at the State and Federal 
level. Colonel Baker, originally from Rhode Island, arrived during the 
Gold Rush, building businesses in San Francisco before purchasing the 
Rancho San Vicente y Santa Monica in 1872.
  Together, they mapped out a future. But they were not the first to 
steward this land. Before the idea of Santa Monica existed, the Tongva 
Gabrielino people lived throughout the Los Angeles Basin and the 
Channel Islands. Their history, the care they held for the coastline, 
and their significant presence are central to the story we are 
honoring. In 2013, Tongva Park was dedicated in their honor. It stands 
as a reminder that any celebration of Santa Monica begins with 
recognizing the first people of this region.
  Over the decades, Santa Monica earned many names. By its community, 
it may be recognized as the City by the Sea, the Pearl of the Pacific, 
or to some, the City of Inspiration. Each name reflects something 
true--its natural beauty, its creativity, and its ability to reinvent 
itself.
  Santa Monica has always been a place of firsts. Early landmarks like 
the Arcadia Hotel and the North Beach Bath House helped shape the 
city's character. And even as times changed, Santa Monica has held 
tightly to its legacy. The Santa Monica Pier has welcomed visitors for 
over 115 years. The Galley, Gilbert's El Indio, and Chez Jay still 
serve as local favorites. The Aero Theatre, which opened in 1940, 
continues to invite film lovers to experience classics, blockbusters, 
and nights with the industry's best.
  For 150 years, Santa Monica has been a hub of art, culture, sports, 
architecture, technology, and bold civic engagement. Through December 
2025, the city will celebrate with a monthlong series of events 
designed by residents, artists, neighborhood organizations, and 
community leaders. This celebration belongs to everyone that calls 
Santa Monica their home, whether in their hearts or at their doorstep.
  The story of Santa Monica will continue in every community space and 
effort to build a city where everyone feels welcome. Here is to 150 
years of Santa Monica and to the future that is imagined.

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