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[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 185 (Wednesday, December 10, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2370-E2371]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                 HONORING OAKHURST CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 10, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce upon the celebration of their 50th 
Anniversary. The anniversary will be celebrated at the Annual 
Installation Diner and Dance to be held on December 5, 2008 at the 
Pines Resort in Bass Lake, California.
  Over the past fifty years, the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce has been 
committed to it Mission Statement ``To promote and support the economic 
vitality while honoring and preserving the unique lifestyles of our 
Mountain Communities.'' The Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce in conjunction 
with its Board of Directors, the Eastern Madera County Chamber of 
Commerce Foundation and the many committees that have been established 
over the years, has been responsible for the completion of many 
community projects and achievements. These accomplishments have 
revolved around promoting business and tourism, community development, 
government issues and education.
  For fifty years the Chamber has worked diligently to promote the 
businesses, large and small, in Eastern Madera County. Today, it has 
over four hundred members. The Chamber has developed member to member 
programs, networking and ``shop locally'' campaigns to strengthen, 
nurture and build the local businesses. It has been a strong advocate 
for the New Downtown Project that is envisioned to be a pedestrian 
friendly area for visitors and locals and will include a visitors 
center, shopping, entertainment and dining. To keep the community and 
visitors apprised of what is going on in Eastern Madera County, the 
Chamber maintains an up to the minute, interactive website. It also 
provides visitors with a directory of local businesses and is 
responsible for creating the official regional street map for Eastern 
Madera County. The Chamber plays a vital role in welcoming visitors and 
recruiting new businesses to the area. Often, the Chamber serves as a 
first impression for the entire community. It has worked to make this 
impression warm, welcoming and professional. By providing these 
services, the Oakhurst Chamber of Commerce has created events that have 
drawn thousands of visitors to the area. The events that it promotes 
include the Oakhurst Peddlers Fair, the Fall Festival, the Automotive 
Film Festival, and the Wood Carvers Rendezvous.
  The Chamber hosts annual planning conferences with local business 
leaders and government officials to maintain a sense of cohesion and to 
discuss key economic indicators and to define the needs of the 
community. These conferences help all of the members work together 
toward a common goal that will help shape the community. In the past 
these goals have included working with various levels of government or 
providing various community projects. The Education, Beautification, 
Economic Development, and Tourism Committees have worked together to 
create better programs and services for the entire community; including 
a community park with the formation of non profit to run it. The 
Emergency Preparedness Committee has created and implemented emergency 
plans for fire, water and power outages, natural disasters and chemical 
hazards. Working with county and state officials on the infrastructure 
of the area, the Chamber has played an integral part in water, sewer 
and other detail area plans. The Chamber's work provided a new sewer 
plant for Oakhurst, in obtaining a one million dollar grant for the 
continued development of a water source in the area and a four million 
dollar loan through the California Public Utilities Commission for 
Hillview Water. The Chamber and the Foundation has funded and built 
over one million dollars worth of sidewalks on Highway 41 in Oakhurst. 
It has also endorsed and raised support for the ``Action to Incorporate 
Oakhurst Now'' and has provided education to the community about the 
benefits of incorporating the area.

[[Page E2371]]

  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate the Oakhurst 
Chamber of Commerce on 50 years. I invite my colleagues to join me in 
wishing the Chamber many years of continued growth and success.

                          ____________________
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