Eric Swalwell: “Tonight, San Ramon celebrates its 30 years as an incorporated city. It's a city I know well. My mother grew up there…”

“Tonight, San Ramon celebrates its 30 years as an incorporated city. It's a city I know well. My mother grew up there, and my grandfather was the editor of the Valley Pioneer newspaper. I went to elementary school there, and I coached youth soccer there for years. Americans first came to San Ramon in 1850 when Leo and Mary Jane Norris purchased property there. The name ``San Ramon'' came from a Native American sheep herder in the area named Ramon. For many years, agriculture was a key part of San Ramon's economy. Starting in the 1960s, suburban development began there; modern San Ramon emerged; and the population took off. Eventually, the residents voted to incorporate as a separate city. It has grown from about 4,000 people in 1960 to over 70,000 today. It's the fourth largest city in Contra Costa County. It is the location of the headquarters of 24-Hour Fitness and Chevron, and it is the west coast headquarters of AT&T. Both of its high schools, California High School and Dougherty Valley High School, were ranked by U.S. News & World Report as being in the top 200 California high schools. These are just a few examples of the highly educated, hardworking folks who live in San Ramon. ____________________”