Coronado Mayor Issues
Scripps Centennial Proclamation

The following is the text of the Scripps Centennial proclamation issued by Coronado Mayor Tom Smisek on September 17, 2002. The proclamation was accepted by Scripps professor of oceanography Fred Spiess on behalf of the Institution.

WHEREAS, Scripps Institution of Oceanography is the oldest and largest oceanographic institution in the western hemisphere, inventing innovative approaches to ocean science and graduate education, whose graduates are among the world's leaders in a wide range of sciences and government agencies; and

WHEREAS, in times of war and peace, in crisis or prosperity, Scripps Institution of Oceanography has provided fundamental understanding of our world's oceans, atmosphere, solid earth, and biology, as needed by our nation; and

WHEREAS, the University of California San Diego (UCSD) was begun through the academic leadership and tenacious effort of Scripps Institution of Oceanography; and

WHEREAS,  the Scripps Institution of Oceanography began in Coronado in 1903 as the "San Diego Marine Biological Association", with the significant encouragement and assistance of the people of Coronado by hosting  the original marine laboratory in the Hotel Del Coronado Boathouse on Glorietta Bight from 1903-1905; and

WHEREAS,  the overwhelming interest of the Coronado public lead to the direction in the original charter "to build and maintain a public aquarium and museum," which is seen today as the Birch Aquarium at Scripps; and

WHEREAS,  Scripps Institution divers worked with U.S. Navy divers at Coronado establishing the first SCUBA diving safety procedures and training which became the foundation of all subsequent SCUBA certification programs worldwide; and

WHEREAS,  today the City of Coronado and Scripps Institution of Oceanography/UCSD are still partners in research, education, and public service; and

       NOW THEREFORE, I, TOM SMISEK, by the authority vested in me as the Forty-eighth Mayor of the City of Coronado, together with the full City Council of the City of Coronado, do hereby proclaim September 22-26, 2003,

"SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY WEEK"

in Coronado, and offer congratulations from the people of Coronado for 100 years of service dedicated to the world's inhabitants:

IN WITNESS THEREOF, I HAVE HEREUNTO SET MY HAND and caused the Seal of the City of Coronado, California to be affixed thereto this 17th day of September 2002.

 TOM SMISEK, MAYOR
       ATTEST:

                      L. DIANE SHEA, CITY CLERK