[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 93 (Tuesday, July 14, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  CONGRATULATIONS TO BOB HOULDING SR.

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                       HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 14, 1998

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Bob 
Houlding Sr., for being recognized as the recipient of the 1998 Senior 
Farmer of the year award. Mr. Houlding has been providing dedicated 
services to the agricultural community for Madera County since the 
1920's and is very deserving of this honor.
  Mr. Houlding family's connection to Madera goes back to the 1800's. 
Bob Houlding Sr. is the son of William and Ludema Houlding. William 
Houlding came with his family from Nebraska to Madera in 1891. Bob 
Houlding Sr.'s brothers are Frank, Bill and Vigil, and his sister 
Ludema (Houlding) Weis.
  Mr. Houlding started school in 1922 at Howard School, the year it was 
built, and graduated from Madera High School in 1934. In 1939, Bob Sr. 
joined the Air Force to serve his country, staying in until 1946. He 
initially signed up for a 3-year hitch, but just as his first tour was 
nearing its end, World War II broke out and he continued to serve. In 
the Air Force he worked as an engineer, repairing B-24s and B-29s in 
the 21st Bomb Squadron and serving in places such as New Orleans, La.; 
Riverside Ca.; Kansas; and the Aleutian Islands.
  In 1942 he married Mildred Sonier. After marrying, the couple raised 
three sons, Bob Jr., Jerry and Mike. Mr. Houlding continued to farm 
once he returned to Madera, growing cotton, alfalfa, wheat and 
potatoes. As the years passed, Bob Houlding Sr. got his sons involved, 
and now together they own 3,500 acres in Madera and on the west side of 
the San Joaquin Valley. His grandchildren and their spouses are also 
involved in the farming. All of the grandchildren are graduates, 
current students, or have aspirations of attending Cal Poly, San Luis 
Obispo.
  Mr. Houlding began by farming row crops, but since 1976, has moved 
into growing tomatoes, cotton, wheat and almonds on the west side of 
Madera and Fresno County. Mr. Houlding's action plan for farming has 
always been to diversify the kinds of crops he grows and to use modern 
farming techniques as micro-sprinklers. Mr. Houlding has been a great 
proponent of reduced pesticide usage through the introduction of 
predator insects and water conservation through the installation of 
drip and sprinkler irrigation systems.
  Mr. Houlding has always been supportive to his community and youth in 
agriculture. He was a member of the board of directors of the Golden 
State Gin, a member of the Trade Club, and a charter member of the Reel 
and Gun Club.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I congratulate Bob Houlding 
Sr. for receiving the Senior Farmer 1998 Award for Madera County. I 
applaud Mr. Houlding's dedicated services and leadership to the 
agricultural community. I ask my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. 
Houlding many more years of success.

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