Andrea Joy Campbell: “As we turn to celebrate the 150th anniversary of California's statehood, we are prompted to reflect upon our region's…”

“As we turn to celebrate the 150th anniversary of California's statehood, we are prompted to reflect upon our region's natural wealth and, most importantly, to reflect upon the spirit of its people. Mr. Speaker, as I rise to pay tribute to the Golden State's sesquicentennial, I wish to honor those Californians, past and present, whose dedication and ingenuity have made this state one of which I am proud to represent in Congress. Silicon Valley's first inhabitants, the Ohlone Indians, discovered one of the original and richest mines in California. The discovery of the red ore of mercury (dubbed ``mohetka'' by the Ohlones), however, quickly changed the face of the region. It also impacted the rest of California, as the mercury discovery favorably contributed to the success of gold and silver mining.”