[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6391]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE GRAND OPENING OF THE LEWIS LIBRARY AND TECHNOLOGY CENTER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2008

  Mr. BACA. Madam Speaker, on April 19, 2008, the city of Fontana and 
neighboring cities in the region will gather to celebrate the grand 
opening of the Lewis Library and Technology Center located in Fontana, 
CA.
  The idea for the Lewis Library and Technology Center was birthed out 
of the need to create a library that would house the needs of the 
growing community. City officials and local developers believed that a 
more technologically advanced library was necessary to enhance 
personal, professional, recreational and lifelong learning goals, a 
task that was unattainable through the already existing ``Emerald 
Street'' Library.
  The Lewis Library and Technology Center is the first significant new 
building in the region. This library creates not only a new awareness 
for the city, but a newfound awareness and appreciation for the Inland 
Empire Region. specifically the San Bernardino County area.
  In addition to representing a new image for the city and the region, 
the Lewis Library and Technology Center provides accessibility to 
surrounding cities like Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto, Colton, Ontario, 
Bloomington and San Bernardino.
  Fontana is the 5th fastest growing city in the State and the 8th 
fastest growing city in the Nation--population 183,640 and growing. 
Fontana is also a melting pot with 12 percent Black, 60 percent 
Hispanic, 25 percent White, with a wide variety of cultures and 
languages. Roughly 41 percent of our 42,000 school-age children in the 
classrooms are designated ``English Language Learners.'' That's 17,176 
kids who need your help. The library will fulfill the community's 
desire for improved library services as well as establish an icon for a 
maturing and growing city.
  The Lewis Library and Technology Center will for years to come be 
symbolic of the city's diversity and will be representative of the 
advancements that have been made in Fontana. The library will be a 
historic monument for the city and the region.
  It is on behalf of the children of our community and our region that 
we recognize this great work and give tribute to the grand opening of 
the Lewis Library and Technology Center.

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