Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E57]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CELEBRATING THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CITY OF COMMERCE
______
HON. LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD
of california
in the house of representatives
Friday, January 17, 2020
Ms. ROYBAL-ALLARD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 60th
anniversary of the City of Commerce, which I have the honor of
representing as part of my 40th Congressional District.
The City of Commerce was incorporated on January 28, 1960, because
area residents were finding it difficult to obtain basic government
services such as garbage pickup, recreation facilities, and
infrastructure development. By the start of 1962, a Los Angeles Times
article about Commerce reported that ``In little more than two years,
the city has made remarkable strides.'' Over the years, Commerce has
continued to evolve into a local economic leader, a popular destination
for shoppers, businesses, and prospective residents, and a community
known throughout America as the ``Model City.''
Even before its official incorporation, the area that eventually
became the City of Commerce housed various manufacturing businesses. As
the city grew, the need to create and maintain its infrastructure
became crucial. In 1962, the Commerce City Council approved $1.5
million to construct streets, which increased connectivity to
neighboring cities and the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
With Commerce's location by two of Los Angeles County's major transit
corridors--the I-710 and I-5 freeways--products from around the world
are transported through the city every day, and building and
maintaining city roads remains one of Commerce's main priorities.
Commerce's rich transportation legacy extends to other matters as
well. In 1963, Commerce became the first city in the United States to
offer regularly scheduled, free bus service to its residents. Commerce
buses were also the first in California to be equipped with two-way
radios.
Today, Commerce's bus system remains free to residents and connects
to other municipal bus lines, MetroLink (the region's community rail
service), and the emerging network of light and heavy rail lines of the
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Currently,
Commerce buses operate on 100% Clean Natural Gas. Eventually, like
other systems in California, they will be 100% electric and/or hybrid.
The Model City also prides itself on its other services, including
four libraries, scholarships for college-bound residents, a Community
Job Fair, lunches for children during the summer, and an annual book
festival and comic book convention.
Early in its history, the city also built four neighborhood parks
that have included baseball fields, basketball courts, and the
Aquatorium, which has been the home of world-class Olympic swimmers and
water polo players, including Olympic gold medalist Brenda Villa.
Commerce is home to commercial icons including the Citadel Outlets,
whose historic facade is modeled after an Assyrian castle. Every year,
the Citadel brings in millions of visitors from around the world to
shop and dine.
The city also boasts the Commerce Casino and Hotel. The casino is the
world's largest card club, and has donated $50,000 in scholarship money
each year for the past thirty years to help students pursue their
college educations.
Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to please join me in celebrating
Commerce's 60th anniversary, and wishing the city residents and leaders
many more years of success in the Model City.
____________________
