[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12364]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




          CELEBRATING THE CITY OF PARAMOUNT'S 60TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 28, 2017

  Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate the City of 
Paramount on its 60th anniversary. I am deeply honored to represent 
this hub of innovation and history as part of California's 40th 
Congressional District, and I hope my colleagues will join me in paying 
tribute to Paramount and its residents.
  The City of Paramount was incorporated in 1957 after two communities, 
Hynes and Clearwater, merged. The unincorporated Hynes-Clearwater 
community staged a hard-fought campaign, ``Save Paramount for 
Paramount,'' contesting its annexation from surrounding communities, 
and secured the right to self-governance.
  The city we now call Paramount has been home to a rich and enduring 
history. The city's ``Hay Tree,'' where the price of the world's hay 
used to be set each day, stands today as a State Historical Landmark, 
proudly representing Paramount's inspiring past as a major hay and 
dairy producer. Iceland, an ice rink opened in 1940 by Frank Zamboni 
and an early Paramount landmark, celebrates the city's rich ice skating 
history. Iceland has not only been a widely enjoyed community asset, 
but the training facility for professional skaters such as Olympic 
champions Sonia Henie and Dorothy Hamill. The world-famous Zamboni Ice-
Resurfacing Machine, which Mr. Zamboni developed in Paramount, is a 
memorable illustration of the area's enduring spirit of innovation.
  In the spirit of the city's motto, ``Positively Paramount,'' 
residents of Paramount share a commitment to making the city the best 
it can be. Named an ``All-America City'' in 1988 for its redevelopment 
efforts, Paramount continues to flourish as a thriving urban center. 
The city's revitalization in recent decades has inspired an arts 
movement, sparked investments in commercial and residential 
rehabilitation, and, most notably, reinvented the downtown.
  The City of Paramount has transformed the Paramount Pond from a 
vacant lot riddled with blight to a unique and thriving plaza, whose 
artistic features encourage community and family-oriented values and 
celebrate ice skating history. Only a block from Frank Zamboni's ice 
rink, families, residents, and tourists can dine at three different 
restaurants, admire the beautiful bronze sculptures, and play on a 
miniature Zamboni Ice-Resurfacing Machine. At the heart of Paramount 
are the Civic Center Gardens, connecting City Hall, the community 
hospital, and the county library. The gardens are much-loved by 
Paramount residents, and reflect the city's commitment to innovation 
and community unification.
  Paramount's commitment to redevelopment continues to this day. City 
leaders have recently come together to support a multimillion dollar 
campaign to revitalize more than 155,000 square feet of downtown 
Paramount. Paramount Town Center West and Paramount Town Center East 
have been renovated. A new, vibrant shopping center, Clearwater 
Crossing Shopping Center, has been completed. New outdoor patios where 
families can dine, additional public parking, and wider sidewalks are 
making Paramount a more pleasant place for all. The city's 
redevelopment efforts and business-friendly reputation have attracted 
major restaurant chains including Applebee's, Habit Burger Grill, 
Chipotle, and Waba Grill, as well as retailers including WSS Shoes and 
AutoZone.
  I hope my colleagues will join me in sending their best wishes and 
congratulations to Paramount on its 60th anniversary. Let us salute its 
optimistic spirit, and its commitment to embracing the future through 
smart investments, innovation, and creativity. May Paramount remain 
strong, successful, and ``Positively Paramount'' in the years ahead.

                          ____________________