[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 48 (Thursday, March 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF CORTEZ GROWERS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GARY A. CONDIT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 25, 1999

  Mr. CONDIT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor the 75th 
Anniversary of Cortez Growers.
  Many of the original founders of the Cortez Growers Association first 
came to California in 1910. The farming cooperative takes it name from 
the small Santa Fe Railroad stop north of Livingston and southeast of 
Turlock in my district in California's great Central Valley.
  Lured to the Valley by a popular Japanese-language newspaper, the 
immigrants, unable to speak English and ineligible to own land or 
become U.S. citizens doggedly pursued the American dream, eventually 
catching it, revolutionizing farming and transforming Merced County 
into a major agricultural center.
  Immigrating in search of opportunity, they lived as sharecroppers and 
laborers while searching for the American dream in Berkeley, 
Watsonville, Salinas, Woodlands, Sacramento, San Francisco and nearly 
any other place where they found inexpensive farmland where they 
quickly found they could grow nearly anything.
  With little money the immigrants faced incredible odds. Under the 
Alien Land Law of 1913, Asians couldn't own land because they couldn't 
become citizens. At the same time, many of the established farmers 
around Livingston didn't welcome the newcomers. Meeting the challenges 
steadfastly, the new residents of Cortez formed their grower's 
association on April 18, 1924.
  They struggled with anti-Japanese sentiments during World War II, 
with many forced into internment camps. Though thousands of Japanese-
Americans lost everything during the war, the crisis did not end the 
dreams of the Cortez members. By January, 1945, the tides of war had 
firmly turned in the Allied forces' favor, and the Western Defense 
Command had lifted military restrictions on Japanese-Americans. 
Following the war, the association began radical changes that would see 
it reach out to its neighbors and change the way we farm in California.
  Cortez looks much different than it did 75 years ago. Instead of 
jackrabbits, there are cars, tractors and trucks. The sand has been 
replaced by lush greenery. Today there are 80 members; fewer than half 
claim Japanese roots. The average farm size is only 60 acres, but 
because of pooled resources, the association has the clout of a much 
larger organization.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent these farmers and ask that my 
colleagues in the House of Representatives rise and join me in honoring 
the Cortez Growers Association on their 75th anniversary.




                          ____________________