[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13059]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE CITY OF LAKE OSWEGO'S CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION

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                           HON. KURT SCHRADER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 14, 2010

  Mr. SCHRADER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of Lake 
Oswego, Oregon on the occasion of their 100th anniversary. From its 
humble beginnings as an iron industry town to its role today as a 
cornerstone of the State's economic engine, Lake Oswego has proven 
itself to be an adaptable and resilient community with a rich history.
  The town of Oswego was founded in 1847, shortly after iron ore was 
discovered in the Tualatin Valley. The iron industry proved to be the 
driving economic force of the small town and many early settlers hoped 
to build upon the foundations of the industry and turn the area into an 
industrial center, the ``Pittsburg of the West.'' While the city was 
never able to meet these grand expectations, the Oregon Iron & Steel 
Company helped create a prosperous society and a growing community on 
the banks of Oswego Lake.
  But the iron industry started to decline in Oswego at the beginning 
of the 20th century. With this downturn, Oregon Iron & Steel turned 
their focus to residential land development, selling large tracts of 
land to developers.
  In 1910, the Oswego community was officially incorporated as the City 
of Oswego. The first land developers aspired to create a city where 
both work and leisure were integral components of the city's success. 
The City of Oswego was promoted as a place to ``live where you play.''
  By the 1920s and 1930s, high-speed and clean electrified trains 
stimulated residential development in the city. The next three decades 
brought increased growth in the community and in 1960, the City of 
Oswego annexed part of nearby Lake Grove and the city changed its name 
to Lake Oswego.
  Today, Lake Oswego continues to be an outstanding community to live, 
work and play. The city has a nationally ranked library, an award 
winning senior center and a plethora of arts, culture and recreation 
opportunities available to residents. The city, in partnership with 
local businesses, has made a priority of economic development and 
transportation planning that will ensure a bright and sustainable 
future for the community for years to come. And the Lake Oswego School 
District is responsible for a public education system that is one of 
the best in the country, benefitting from widespread community support.
  Madam Speaker, 100 years have now passed since the city was 
officially recognized and I am honored to be the representative for 
this beloved community. I congratulate Lake Oswego on their centennial 
celebration and hope the city enjoys another 100 years of growth and 
prosperity.

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