[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14179]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          BOOKSHOP SANTA CRUZ

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 14, 2016

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mark the 50th anniversary of 
Bookshop Santa Cruz, a family-owned, independent bookstore based in 
Santa Cruz, California. Bookshop Santa Cruz started in 1966 and quickly 
became the heart of Downtown Santa Cruz, providing the community with 
access to books, magazines, newspapers and gifts while also creating a 
community meeting ground for friends and visitors alike. Over the last 
50 years, Bookshop Santa Cruz established itself as a nationally-
renowned bookstore dedicated to the written word, the discussion of 
ideas and the creation of community.
  In 1973, Neal and Candy Coonerty bought Bookshop Santa Cruz and 
raised their two children, Ryan and Casey, in the store. Together they 
helped the store survive many challenges including the 1989 Loma Prieta 
earthquake, competition from nearby chain bookstores and the rise of 
the internet retailer. Bookshop Santa Cruz held thousands of author 
events over the years allowing numerous opportunities for authors to 
engage with their fans about their work. The store was instrumental in 
starting the shop local movement in Santa Cruz and lead community-wide 
conversations about the role of local business in our economy, the 
value of maintaining vital downtown corridors and the importance of 
freedom of speech and reader privacy.
  In 1989, Bookshop Santa Cruz survived the terrible Loma Prieta 
earthquake, which destroyed over 75 percent of Downtown Santa Cruz, 
with the help of their staff and community. Hundreds of volunteers 
signed liability waivers to enter the red-tagged Bookshop building to 
rescue all of the books and fixtures, thereby allowing Bookshop Santa 
Cruz to continue to operate for three years in a large pavilion tent as 
Downtown Santa Cruz was rebuilt. In the meantime, Neal Coonerty 
successfully ran for City Council and became Mayor of Santa Cruz to 
help with the downtown rebuilding process.
  Ten years ago, Casey Coonerty Protti, took over management of the 
store as a second-generation owner. During this time, she successfully 
launched vital children's programs such as Young Writers Contest, 
Summer Reading Program where each year over 600 kids earn rewards for 
reading during the summer months as well as bringing authors into local 
schools. These efforts are central in helping create the next 
generation of readers.
  In addition, the owners of Bookshop continue to give back to the 
community that supported them throughout the years with Neal Coonerty 
and Ryan Coonerty both serving as Mayor of Santa Cruz as well as on the 
Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors and Casey Coonerty Protti 
serving on the Board of the Downtown Association, the Santa Cruz 
Education Foundation and an appointee on the Santa Cruz Downtown 
Commission.
  Mr. Speaker, I join the entire House in congratulating Bookshop Santa 
Cruz on 50 years and thanking their owners and bookselling staff for 
all that they contribute to the Santa Cruz community. We hope they 
continue to breathe life into the cultural fabric of the Santa Cruz 
community for another 50 years.

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