Jerry Lewis: “as California celebrates the 150th anniversary of statehood, I would like to share with my colleagues a little of the…”

“as California celebrates the 150th anniversary of statehood, I would like to share with my colleagues a little of the history and special characteristics of the 40th Congressional District--the largest in the state--which I am proud to represent. That history stretches long before California became a state--and indeed long before the history of the West was recorded. The 40th district stretches from the peaks of the Eastern Sierra Nevada to the fast-growing cities of the San Bernardino Valley, on the eastern edge of the Southern California urban area. The heart of the district is the Mojava Desert, which has long been known as a gateway to the Pacific Coast since the Mohava Indians forged a trail west from the Colorado River to trade with coastal tribes. The route eventually was followed by the Union Pacific and Santa Fe railroads, and then by Route 66, the Mother Road that is still celebrated by tens of thousands of people at events in Barstow and San Bernardino. The 40th Congressional District today boasts the highest point and lowest point in the ``lower 48'' states. Mount Whitney, at 14,495 feet, is the highest peak along the towering mountain chain known as the Sierra Nevada. The lowest point at 282 feet below sea level, is the Badwater area of the desolately beautiful Death Valley National Park. The two points are among many that make the district an outdoor recreation paradise.”