[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16932]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                 HONORING FIRST AMERICAN TITLE COMPANY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 20, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize First American 
Title Company for devoting themselves to the improvement and 
development of the City of Clovis, California. Through many activities 
and events, First American Title Company has devoted countless hours to 
the development and enhancement of the County of Fresno, specifically 
the City of Clovis.
  One of America's oldest and largest real estate related financial 
services companies celebrated its centennial in 1989. The First 
American Financial Corporation traces its roots back to 1889 when what 
was then rural Orange County, California, split off from the County of 
Los Angeles. At that time, title matters in the brand-new county were 
handled by two firms--the Orange County Abstract Company and the Santa 
Ana Abstract Company. In 1894, C.E. Parker, a local businessman, 
succeeded in merging the two competitors into a single entity, the 
Orange County Title Company, the immediate predecessor of today's First 
American Title Insurance Company.
  Later, the company took a new name, First American, and expanded the 
geographic scope of its operations. In 1968, the firm was restructured 
into a general holding company, The First American Financial 
Corporation, conducting its title operations through First American 
Title Insurance Company and its subsidiaries. Existing title and 
abstract companies were purchased, new offices were established, and 
agency contacts were negotiated. Through a well-planned and managed 
expansion program, First American built an organization that serves 
every region of the country.
  The Company operates through a network of more than 300 offices and 
4,000 agents in each of the 50 states. It provides title services 
abroad in Australia, the Bahamas, Canada, Guam, Mexico, Puerto Rico, 
the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the United Kingdom.
  First American's business practices are a blend of the newest 
techniques and technologies with the old, tried and true ways of 
providing personal service. The critical ingredient in the company's 
formula for success is people.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize First American Title Company as a 
leader in the community. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing 
them many more years of continued success.

                          ____________________