[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  IN HONOR OF THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SANTA CRUZ BEACH BOARDWALK

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2007

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to call attention to the 100th 
Anniversary of the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, a storied tourist 
destination on California's central coast. The Boardwalk, with its 35 
rides and other attractions, has provided a lifetime of memories for 
millions of people, establishing itself as a national landmark and as a 
vital component of our community. Situated on a sandy mile-long beach, 
it is the only remaining major seaside amusement park on the West 
Coast.
  When the Boardwalk first opened on June 15, 1907 it immediately 
attracted national attention and received a telegram from President 
Theodore Roosevelt himself. Since then, tens of millions have visited 
the Boardwalk for fun and entertainment. Its rich history includes Miss 
California pageants, premier big bands, and daring performers.
  I myself have spent many fun-filled days at the Boardwalk with 
friends and family, both when I was growing up and when I was raising 
my own child. Those are memories that I will never forget, and I am 
sure that millions of other families would say the same thing.
  The Boardwalk is also unique in that two of its rides have been 
designated National Historic Landmarks, both built by members of the 
Looff family of Danish woodcarvers: the Giant Dipper, a wooden roller 
coaster built in 1924, and the Looff Carousel, built in 1911. In fact, 
sometime this year the Giant Dipper will carry its 55 millionth rider 
on an adventure they won't forget. It is the 6th oldest roller coaster 
in the U.S., and has been in several major motion pictures.
  As the primary asset of a locally owned corporation, the Santa Cruz 
Seaside Company, the Boardwalk has been an important driving force for 
our community, employing nearly 1,600 people at the Boardwalk, hotels, 
and other tourist destinations operated by the Seaside Company. Its 
active charitable contribution program results in yearly donations of 
approximately $100,000 in cash and tickets to local organizations, and 
it has been repeatedly recognized for its support of ecotourism and its 
environmental efforts and policies, winning the California State 
Ecotourism Award in 2002.
  As a steward of the environment and the local community, the 
Boardwalk has made itself indispensable to everyone involved with it. 
And although it has undergone many changes in the last hundred years, 
one thing remains the same: the Boardwalk has been, and will continue 
to be, one of California's premier tourist destinations.
  Madam Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to present the 
congratulations of my House colleagues to this community icon on this 
joyous and historic occasion.

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