HONORING THE CITY OF ST. HELENA

HONORING THE CITY OF ST. HELENA

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E267] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING THE CITY OF ST. HELENA ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Wednesday, March 25, 2026 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the City of St. Helena on the sesquicentennial anniversary of its official establishment as a municipality, and to recognize its rich history, community spirit, and enduring role as the heart of the Napa Valley. This celebration honors the generations of residents, civic leaders, and organizations that have shaped the city's unique character, agricultural heritage, vibrant cultural identity, and forward-looking community values. The City of St. Helena was officially incorporated on March 24, 1876, though its roots trace back to 1854, four years after California attained statehood. The city grew from an agricultural settlement to a lively hub for wine production and hospitality, centered around a strong and vibrant community. Before Euro-American settlement in the 1840s, the area was inhabited by the Wappo and indigenous people. A local Callajomanes triblet village called Annakotanoma or Anakonoma was also located nearby. St. Helena is renown as a hospitality destination and was centered around the location on its western edge of the first hot springs resort in California. The wine industry in Napa Valley as we know it today was originally centered around the two major wineries that were established in St. Helena and thrive today--Beringer and Krug--whose founders were instrumental in the incorporation of the City. Like many municipalities in California, what began as a Board of Trustees elected annually evolved to a modern city council with a separately elected mayor and the compliment of staffing that enables a small municipality to serve its populace. For 150 years now, city managers, mayors, and councilmembers have paved the way for volunteerism and community-driven projects through the city that reflect the values of stewardship and collaboration within our local community. The City of St. Helena is home to a strong public education system with its own St. Helena Unified School District and values education as a cornerstone of community success with a long-standing tradition of supporting lifelong learning through its public library. Our public library was originally established with the help of Andrew Carnegie after he--like many others before and since--visited and were impressed by both the natural beauty of the Napa Valley and the energy found in the local community of St. Helena. Mr. Speaker, the City of St. Helena has had a profound impact on our community and our community on the city. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor the city's sesquicentennial anniversary here today as they celebrate this milestone. ____________________