[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 22463-22464]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HAYWARD AREA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 5, 2006

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, December 2006 marks the 50th anniversary of 
the founding of the Hayward Area Historical Society in Hayward, 
California. I rise to pay tribute to the Society's significant 
anniversary.

[[Page 22464]]

  On an autumn night in 1956, 25 Hayward Area residents met at Bret 
Harte School to discuss a growing concern in the community. Amidst the 
progress and prosperity of the post World War II boom, the history of 
the area once known as Eden Township seemed to be missing from the 
cultural landscape.
  The Hayward Chamber of Commerce Postwar Planning Committee first 
recommended the formation of a historical society in 1944. With so much 
happening at the conclusion of World War II and the community 
experiencing unprecedented growth in the following years, no action was 
taken on the committee's suggestion. However, 10 years later, the City 
of Hayward celebrated its 80th birthday with great fanfare. Though the 
festivities were considered a success, the planners had encountered a 
huge problem identifying pioneer residents to ride in the city's 
anniversary parade. There was no established resource for gathering and 
providing information on Hayward's past.
  The Community Services Committee of the Hayward Chamber of Commerce, 
chaired by Allen Strutz, decided to take matters into their hands and 
took steps to begin saving Hayward history. Soon, the Hayward Area 
Historical Society, HAHS, was born.
  The first official election of officers was scheduled for the night 
of December 6, 1956. Volunteers immediately began gathering members and 
asking pioneer families to fill out historical questionnaires. Those 
documents became the foundation for HAHS's extensive archives.
  During the ceremony to sign the Society's charter, which took place 
at the historic Eden Congregational Church, the Society proclaimed its 
intent to ``discover, preserve and disseminate knowledge of the history 
of the Hayward Area.'' Among the first artifacts to be donated was a 
pencil drawing of Mission Dolores and a copy of the Hayward Journal 
from 1894.
  HAHS has reached a number of benchmarks in growth and prosperity over 
the last fifty years. It has published numerous books, an ``Adobe 
Trails'' member newsletter, established a museum, a research library, 
and has amassed a collection of thousands of historical artifacts, 
self-produced exhibitions and has been a partner in restoring 
historical property in Hayward.
  As the Hayward Area Historical Society continues its progress, I join 
the community in wishing them a very happy 50th birthday and continued 
success.

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