[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12611]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



           TRIBUTE TO THE CITY OF MURRIETA, 10TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 28, 2001

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure today to pay 
tribute to a wonderful, young city in my district as they prepare to 
celebrate their 10th Anniversary--Murrieta, California, a ``Gem of the 
Valley.'' Murrieta is an expansive valley covered with grasses and 
dotted with oak trees.
  Incorporated as a city in July of 1991 after an overwhelming 
supportive vote, Murrieta has seen tremendous growth since its small 
beginnings as a sheep ranch. It was a young Don Juan Murrieta who first 
recognized the natural beauty and vitality of this California valley 
and bought 52,000 acres in 1873. As the years passed by, the city saw 
slow growth and finally a boom when the railroad came through. By 1890, 
almost 800 people lived in the valley. Unfortunately, by 1935 the city 
had gone bust like so many western towns whose livelihood depended upon 
the railroad.
  It would not be until 1987, more than fifty years later, that 
Murrieta Valley would once again come into its own. That year saw 
explosive growth for this sleepy little town. Totaling only 542 
residents in 1970 and little more than 2,250 a decade later it found 
its population increase by a multiple of eight by 1991, to 20,000 
residents, when Murrieta became an incorporated city. This year, as 
they celebrate their 10th Anniversary it finds itself the home of some 
50,000 residents.
  As a city and community, Murrieta has thrived with the greater 
control of its destiny over the last 10 years. That includes providing 
services from within the community instead of outside, such as police, 
fire and library systems of its own rather than contracting for these 
services.
  In 10 short years, the City of Murrieta has seen its population and 
communities grow because of dedication to affordable housing, 
protecting the natural beauty of the valley, good schools, low crime 
and clean air. The city adopted its first General Plan after more than 
50 public meetings to draft a vision of what the new city would become 
over the next several decades. The police department was created in 
1992, the fire department in 1993 and the library system in 1998. 
Public services like these are what bind a city together along with the 
building of parks and recreational facilities and more. In fact, for 
their incredible progress as a city Murrieta has won numerous awards 
for innovation and performance.
  Mr. Speaker, looking back, the city of Murrieta and its residents can 
hold their heads high with pride at what their once small town has 
become in only 10 short years. I wish to extend to them my 
congratulations as families, community leaders and business leaders 
gather on this Saturday, June 30th, to celebrate their 10th 
Anniversary. Congratulations to the ``Gem of the Valley!''

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