[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 142 (Wednesday, September 13, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1770]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          A TRIBUTE TO JACK STONE, AGRICULTURALIST OF THE YEAR

                                 ______


                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 13, 1995
  Mr. DOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise before my colleagues today to pay a 
special tribute to Jack Stone, a fellow Kings County farmer and rancher 
who has been honored by his community.
  A true pioneer of the San Joaquin Valley's west side, Jack is an 
especially appropriate choice as the first ever Lemoore Chamber of 
Commerce Agriculturalist of the year. Before World War II, Jack began 
farming land on the westside, growing grain and cotton. In those days 
his land was irrigated with well water pumped from underground.
  With construction of the San Luis unit of the Central Valley Project 
in 1968, Jack and his fellow west side farmers realized a life-long 
dream of bringing fresh surface water to their farms. That change 
helped transform the west side into one of the most productive 
agricultural regions in the Nation. But this transformation could not 
have been possible without the farsighted and stubborn commitment of 
farmers like Jack Stone.
  As one of the visionaries who helped make the VCP a reality, Jack was 
appointed to the Wetlands Water District Board of directors in 1972, 
and was elected president 4 years later. He led the district through 
years of significant change, including two sever droughts, the 
Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, the Kesterson Reservoir controversy, 
and the CVP Improvement Act of 1992.
  Jack also has served on the boards of more than 20 community, farm, 
academic, and water-related organizations. He is past chairman of its 
producers steering committee; a past member of the International Cotton 
Advisory Committee; and past president of the Western Cotton Growers 
Association.
  He was the Irrigation Institute's Man of the Year in 1989; was 
inducted into the Cotton Hall of Fame in 1992; and is an active member 
of the Kings Country sheriff's posse.
  Jack Stone is a dedicated valley and west side resident who has 
played a significant role in the development of Kings County 
agriculture. I applaud the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce for Recognizing 
his contributions.


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