[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 143 (Wednesday, October 22, 1997)]
[House]
[Pages H8978-H8979]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING BOB L. VICE

  (Mr. PACKARD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor a distinguished 
agricultural leader at the local, State, and national level who will be 
leaving office this year. Bob L. Vice, President of the California Farm 
Bureau Federation, has led the largest agricultural organization in the 
State of California for the past 8\1/2\ years. He has met many 
challenges during the time to keep a $24 billion a year agricultural 
industry, the largest in the Golden State on course. California 
agriculture is an industry that contributes generously to the State's 
economy.

[[Page H8979]]

  While many think of California as large cities and recreational 
parks, one in 10 jobs are directly related to agriculture. Farmers face 
the whims of mother nature and uncertainties of the marketplace and 
ever increasing government regulations. Bob Vice has been a strong 
advocate of the industry and has spent much of his time away from his 
family to devote his efforts to the industry that he loves. I am proud 
to know him as a distinguished agricultural leader, a devoted 
constituent and a friend. I wish him the best in his future endeavors.
  Bob Vice began his service to the agricultural industry when 
approached to attend a meeting of the California Farm Bureau 
Federation's Young Farmers and Ranchers Committee. This offer to attend 
this meeting was made so far in advance that he gave little thought to 
the time commitment involved. But it was to the agricultural industry's 
benefit that he chose to do so.
  After attending the meeting, Bob Vice became very active in the San 
Diego County Farm Bureau's young Farm and Ranchers Program and worked 
on many programs at the county level. His involvement led him to a 
position on the County Farm Bureau board of directors.
  His enthusiasm for work on behalf of the agricultural industry and 
Farm Bureau was acknowledged by his progression to president of the San 
Diego County Farm Bureau and thus a delegate to the California Farm 
Bureau Federation. In 1987, he was honored as the San Diego County 
Farmer of the Year.
  In December 1981, Bob Vice was elected as the first vice president of 
the California Farm Bureau Federation at their annual meeting in Palm 
Springs. As an officer and board member of the State organization, he 
participated in many committee assignments and directed the policy 
review procedures at the annual meetings.
  In 1985-86, he participated as the agricultural point person to deal 
with the Immigration Reform and Control Act provisions in the national 
legislation. He continues to be a national spokesperson for 
agricultural labor issues and has been called upon to testify before 
Congress numerous times.
  In 1989, after serving 7\1/2\ years as first vice president, Vice 
assumed the role of president of the California Farm Bureau Federation 
and was re-elected four times to that two year position. He served on 
the American Farm Bureau Federal [AFBF] board of directors from 1989-
92. He was reelected to the AFBF board in 1994 and continues to serve 
in that capacity. He was also named to the six member executive 
committee of that organization. He has served on many committees 
including chairman of the AFBF International Trade Advisory Committee. 
He has participated in agricultural trade delegations to Europe, 
Israel, Latin America, the Pacific Rim, South Africa and Australia.
  Bob Vice has not only been active within Farm Bureau but as a leader 
for all of agriculture. Shortly after assuming the presidency, he 
became the chairman of an agricultural coalition to successfully fight 
the ill-conceived ``Big Green'' initiative. His efforts further 
elevated him as a leader on the national agriculture scene.
  Bob Vice has been a visionary on behalf of the agriculture industry 
by his long range outlook on issues affecting the industry. He is 
especially aware of the need to balance the use of water between 
competing interests within California and was one of the original 
participants on the California Bay Delta Oversight Committee 
established by Governor Pete Wilson. He was a major participant in the 
effort to pass Proposition 204, the water bond issue in 1996.
  His willingness to participate in issues affecting agriculture has 
propelled the California Farm Bureau to new heights in political 
awareness and has made the organization a well respected force in 
Sacramento and Washington, DC. This respect is not only acknowledged by 
elected officials but also by his peers throughout the industry.
  He was appointed to the 22d Agricultural District Fair Board (Del 
Mar) in 1984 by Governor George Deukmejian and has been reappointed 
twice by Gov. Pete Wilson. He is a member of the Advisory Council on 
Small Business and Agriculture of the Federal Reserve Bank of San 
Francisco.
  In addition to his many agricultural activities, Bob Vice and his 
wife Carilyn are very active in their church and community. He 
continues to farm avocados in Fallbrook, San Diego County.

                          ____________________