[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12345]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 12345]]

                          EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS

   RECOGNIZING THE SISTER CITIES OF OXNARD, CALIFORNIA AND OCOTLAN, 
                            JALISCO, MEXICO

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIA BROWNLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 17, 2014

  Ms. BROWNLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize 
the Cities of Oxnard, California, and Ocotlan, Jalisco, Mexico, as they 
celebrate fifty years of mutually beneficial cooperation and friendship 
through the Sister City Program.
  Officially chartered by the United States--Mexico Sister Cities 
Association in 1964, the partnership between Oxnard and Ocotlan is one 
of the longest continuous Sister City relationships. As we reflect on 
fifty years of harmonious interaction, it is clear that the cities have 
been successful in their original mission to promote good will, 
friendship, and mutual understanding. These many years of welcoming 
cooperation between the two cities have built a strong foundation of 
reciprocal admiration and respect between people and communities of 
different countries.
  Throughout the last fifty years, the Sister City program has 
established strong economic, educational, and cultural bonds, 
benefitting the people of both Oxnard and Ocotlan alike. The Sister 
City Committee has facilitated many donations of safety equipment, 
medical supplies, library books, and even three fire trucks, which 
provided the City of Ocotlan with the ability to establish its first 
fire department. When disaster struck Ocotlan after the 1992 
earthquake, the City of Oxnard gladly assisted in emergency fundraising 
efforts.
  The Sister City program has also extended many opportunities 
benefitting students from both cities. Ocotlan students participated in 
the Oxnard Union High School District's baseball tournaments in 1988 
and 1989, and students in the Oxnard High School Band traveled to 
Ocotlan in 1993 and 1996 to help the city establish its first marching 
band. The program certainly deserves commendation for the investments 
it has made in the futures of these students.
  I would like to recognize all members of the Oxnard Sister City 
Committee, including Officers: Mary Anne Rooney, President; Debra 
Cordes, Vice President; JoAnn Oliveras, Secretary; and Teresa Ramos, 
Treasurer; and Directors: Allison Cordes; Marsha Cordes; Dorian 
Guerrero; Priscilla Herrera; Adela L. Lambert; and Ben Wada.
  I would also like to recognize all members of the Ocotlan Sister City 
Committee, including Officers: Jorge Mario Perez, Presidente; Everardo 
Santos Ramos, Tesorero; and Jacinto Rodriguez, Rel. Publicas.
  I want to congratulate the Cities of Oxnard and Ocotlan on this 
momentous occasion and look forward to the future accomplishments and 
successes that this relationship will foster.

                          ____________________