[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24270]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    COMMEMORATING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MENDOCINO STUDY CLUB

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
the Mendocino Study Club for outstanding and distinguished service to 
citizens of the village and north coast of Mendocino, California, on 
the occasion of its centennial anniversary.
  Since its founding by seven women on October 30, 1908, when Mendocino 
was still recovering from the California earthquake and fires of 1906, 
the Mendocino Study Club has been an intelligent and considerate force 
adapting to and addressing the issues of the times. The original 
members traveled by horse and buggy for the first decade in order to 
get together on the isolated and rugged Mendocino Coast.
  In the early years Study Club members met to discuss reading 
assignments and international cultural and historical topics. It wasn't 
two years before they were also a contributing force to worthy causes. 
For many years the MSC was in charge of the local American Red Cross 
Drive. Active during the First World War, they gave to war related 
causes, and during the Depression focused on local needs. Health and 
dental care, education and safety became the stalwart causes for which 
the MSC has been particularly philanthropic.
  In 1943, the MSC began its scholarship program with $100 to study 
nursing. Since then, members have granted more than $178,400 to high 
school graduates, as well as to recipients for reentry and job upgrade 
pursuits, and to economic enterprises. Their Country Christmas bazaar 
of handcrafted items supports the club programs including scholarships, 
and humanitarian and civic projects. The Mendocino Community Library is 
the longest running legacy, initiated by the Study Club in 1947 and 
incorporated in 1979. In 1988 the Mendocino Community Library moved 
into its own building which continues to be staffed and supported by 
the MSC.
  Throughout the decades the MSC has been active in improving the 
quality of life for local residents through their support of such vital 
entities as the Mendocino Coast District Hospital, Mendocino Historical 
Research, Inc., Sherwood Oaks nursing home, Meals on Wheels, 
Hospitality House, a new firehouse, soup kitchens, the Senior Lunch 
Program and the Food Bank, to name a few. In addition to financial and 
volunteer support MSC has advocated on issues on behalf of school 
lunches to Congress, for highway safety to the state of California, and 
rural community libraries to the County of Mendocino.
  Their 2008 centennial activities have included heritage rose 
plantings, a centennial quilt, and, in honor of the history of the 
unique village of Mendocino, the creation of walking tour brochures as 
a birthday gift to community.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, please join me in honoring the 
Mendocino Study Club for 100 years of good deeds on the Mendocino 
coast. This exemplary organization lives up to its purpose to promote 
the highest spiritual, intellectual and cultural opportunities for its 
members, to provide for leadership of women in the community, and to 
provide service to the community. It is with pleasure that I have the 
honor to commend the good work and future of the Mendocino Study Club.

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