[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23991]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF WASCO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 7, 2007

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the City of 
Wasco on the celebration of their 100th anniversary.
  The birth of the town of Wasco dates back to 1897, when the Santa Fe 
Railroad laid tracks through the area. Soon after, over 300 families 
relocated there through the efforts of Marshall V. Hartranft, who 
secured land for resale to the settlers from the Kern County Land 
Company. This effort was known as the ``Fourth Home Extension Colony.'' 
Originally named ``Dewey,'' then ``Deweyville,'' Wasco was renamed by 
William Bonham, a settler from Wasco County in Oregon, and the town 
name was recorded by the Post Office in 1900.
  In 1904 Delta-Shamrock School was born serving as a multi-purpose 
institution including a school, a civic center and a welcoming place 
for settlers who arrived in 1907. A few years later, a business 
district was born which included a depot, a general store, a post 
office, two saloons, a blacksmith shop and a hotel. Eventually, the 
school was renamed ``The Wasco School'' and, in 1919, it became the 
Wasco Unified School District.
  In 1929, the Wasco Union High School Auditorium was completed. This 
architectural gem was added to the National Register of Historic Places 
in 1997. The building, with its renaissance style architecture and 
aesthetic charm, still functions as a venue for educational, civic, and 
cultural purposes.
  The City of Wasco has since flourished into a growing and vibrant 
community located in the heart of the most diversified agricultural 
region in the world. Wasco is nestled among blooming rose fields, 
almond and pistachio orchards, sugar beets, grapes, and white cotton 
fields among many other fruits and vegetables.
  Wasco is also universally known as the Rose Capital of the Nation. 
Over 60 percent of all roses grown in the United States are grown in 
the Wasco area. Seven major rose companies grow more than 50 million 
plants in the North Kern County area. Rose companies were looking for a 
good climate, the right kind of soil, good land to lease, a desirable 
growing season, as well as an available labor force and water. Wasco 
has been home to many of these rose companies for over 50 years.
  The history of this city further demonstrates that it is only by 
embracing the importance of community, cooperation and shared vision 
that such success can be achieved. I am honored to stand and shine a 
spotlight on the City of Wasco, as they celebrate a century of pride 
and progress.

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