[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22922]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        IN RECOGNITION OF A NEW FEDERAL COURTHOUSE IN FRESNO, CA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 17, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the completion of a 
spectacular new United States Courthouse in Fresno, California, that 
will serve the needs of the communities of the great Central San 
Joaquin Valley.

  I am joined in this recognition by my colleagues, who also represent 
the City of Fresno and the communities served by this new facility, 
Representatives Dennis Cardoza, Devin Nunes and George Radanovich.

  The new courthouse features 14 courtrooms and judicial chambers for 
the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Magistrate, and the U.S. Bankruptcy 
Court. It also includes facilities such as a library, conference rooms, 
jury assembly area, public cafeteria and offices for other federal 
agencies and elected officials.

  This unique, nine-story building integrates the textures, colors and 
materials of the surrounding natural landscape of Fresno and the nearby 
Sierra Nevada mountain range.

  The building began construction in April 2002 and was completed at a 
cost of $116 million. It will accommodate 232 employees, who will serve 
hundreds of private citizens on a daily basis.

  Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest pleasure that I join my 
colleagues in celebrating this momentous occasion for the communities 
of the Central San Joaquin Valley.

                          ____________________