[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1867]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO WILLIAM BARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
passing of William Barker, a leader in the California agriculture 
community.
  A fifth generation Monterey County native, Bill served for forty-
three years as the manager of the Monterey County Farm Bureau, guiding 
the agriculture community through years of profound change. He became 
manager of the local farm bureau chapter in 1958, when the Salinas 
Valley had, for the most part, dairies and dry bean farms. Salinas 
Valley is now a salad bowl, as well as producing wines, cut flowers, 
organic crops and herbs. Other significant changes developed in 
environmental and labor regulations, and in the urbanization of 
farmlands. Bill never failed to keep farmers aware of what was on the 
horizon and what would be best for the industry.
  Bill's emphasis on education programs helped to keep the community-
at-large aware of the role that agriculture plays in their daily lives. 
He was an early supporter of Monterey County Education Inc.; he was 
deeply involved with local and Statewide 4-H programs and the Future 
Farmers of America Programs in high schools; and he was founder and 
Chairman of the County's COLA (Coalition of Labor, Ag and Business).
  Bill took a leadership role in the community as well: as President of 
the Salinas Chamber of Commerce; as a member of the Board of the United 
Way of Salinas Valley; as director of the Monterey County Fair for 12 
years and president of the fair for 3 years; and as President of the 
Steinbeck Foundation Treatment Center. He was on the Board of Directors 
of the Monterey Resource Conservation District, and in the 1980's he 
assisted with the establishment of the Monterey County General Plan.
  Bill died January 21, 1999, leaving his wife Norma; two sons, Bill 
and Tom; two daughters, Carole and Susan, and three grandchildren and a 
host of friends and admirers. Bill was always an advocate for and 
champion of the agricultural community. His vision and leadership will 
be greatly missed.

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