[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 111 (Monday, August 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1713]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING RODGER B. JENSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 2, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Rodger Jensen 
for receiving the 1999 Community Salute honor. Mr. Jensen is being 
honored for his dedication and leadership in agriculture, and the local 
community.
  Rodger Jensen is President of S and J Ranch in Madera, a farm 
management company that began in 1950 with 2,600 acres of open land, 
dry-farmed for barley and wheat. Today, S and J farms citrus, nuts, and 
olives in Madera, Merced, Fresno, Kern, and Tulare Counties. The 
company also manages thousands of acres of permanent crops and boasts a 
commercial citrus and pistachio nursery and an insectary. in order to 
ensure the success of these crops and entities, S and J employs 97 
full-time non-harvest personnel and as many as 500 harvest employees.
  Rodger's work at S and J Ranch is not his only contribution to Valley 
agriculture. Twenty years ago, Rodger, along with several faculty, 
alumni, and friends of California State University, Fresno, had a 
million-dollar idea. They wanted to start a foundation that would 
benefit, promote, and support the School of Agricultural Sciences and 
Technology, along with its programs. The supporters set out to raise $1 
million in endowed scholarships. Today, their success is apparent, as 
the Ag One Endowment Fund stands at over $1.4 million and indications 
are that $2 million will be reached by the end of this year.
  Rodger Jensen, a 1941 Fresno State graduate, has touched the lives of 
countless young people through his involvement in Ag One, the School 
and University, Valley Children's Hospital, the San Joaquin River 
Parkway Trust, the Boy Scouts, and many other organizations.
  Rodger Jensen is also involved in many professional affiliations 
including: The California Pistachio Commission--Board of Directors, the 
California Chamber of Commerce--Board of Directors, the California 
Commission of Agriculture, the California Pistachio Association--
President, Chairman, the Fresno City & County Chamber of Commerce--
Board of Directors, the Fresno County Farm Bureau--Board of Directors, 
and the Western Pistachio Association--Board of Directors.
  Mr. Jensen has contributed to the agriculture food business by 
serving on many boards. In previous years, he served on the boards of 
Mid-Cal Citrus Exchange, Sunkist Growers, and the Fruit Growers Supply.
  During his many years of involvement in agriculture and the community 
Rodger has received numerous awards. He was given the School of 
Agriculture Distinguished Service Award in 1980, the Fresno Foundation 
Award in 1989, and the FSU Alumni Arthur Safstrom Award in 1995. Mr. 
Jensen was also named Ag USA Citrus Farmer of the Year in 1967.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize Rodger Jensen for his dedication to 
the community and the agriculture industry. I urge my colleagues to 
join me in wishing Mr. Jensen many more years of continued success.

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