[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING DINO PETRUCCI

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dino Petrucci for 
receiving the Senior Farmer of the Year Award. Dino Petrucci's efforts 
to educate and inspire young people toward agriculture render him 
deserving of this award.
  Dino was born on a farm in Madera and still lives on the property his 
family cultivated while he was growing up. He attended Howard 
Elementary School, graduated from Madera High School in 1947, and 
earned a college degree in Crop Science from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.
  During his four years at Madera High, Dino was actively involved in 
student government and the Future Farmers of America. He was elected 
Student Body Vice President and Senior Class Speaker. He also served as 
Chapter President of FFA and won the FAA State Speaking contest.
  Petrucci went on to hold numerous leadership positions in various 
organizations as a young adult. He was elected the State FFA President 
and was a National Public Speaker at the National FFA Convention in 
Kansas City. In addition, he served as President of the Crop Science 
Department at Cal Poly.
  Mr. Petrucci was successful in his undertakings on behalf of these 
organizations and in his academic endeavors. He earned the coveted 
American Farmer Degree and co-authored a book that was used in school 
agriculture departments across the state.
  After college, Dino began his teaching career in the Ag Department in 
Victorville. Two years later, he returned to Madera and embarked upon a 
29-year career with the Madera High Ag Department. During this time, 
Dino was actively farming a variety of crops with his brother, Enzo. 
Dino and wife Peggy were also raising a family of two children and 
supporting them on their 4-H and FFA projects.
  Many of his former students attest that Mr. Petrucci was a committed 
teacher, giving more hours than were required of him. For fifteen 
years, he advised the California Young Farmers and was instrumental in 
the Madera Chapter receiving recognition as ``Outstanding Chapter'' for 
many of those years. He also served as State President of the 
California Ag Teachers Association, and found time to serve as Chairman 
of the Livestock Department at the Madera District Fair.
  While balancing a family and career Dino has made time for community 
involvement by serving as President of the Lion's Club, President of 
Madera Toastmasters, and President of Madera County Farm Bureau. He was 
also elected last year to serve as a Trustee on the Madera Unified 
School District Board. In addition, Mr. Petrucci began the MUST Center 
and served as its Director for two years. This program was designed to 
teach vocational skills to the underprivileged to order to afford them 
better job opportunities. Currently, Petrucci is actively involved at 
Howard Elementary School where he attended as a boy, his children 
attended, and his grandchildren now attend.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Dino Petrucci for his outstanding 
accomplishments and service to his community. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in wishing Dino many more years of continued success and 
happiness.

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