[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 119 (Tuesday, September 14, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1870-E1871]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   FROM THE INLAND EMPIRE TO THE WORLD: 75 YEARS OF THE BEST ORANGES

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                            HON. JERRY LEWIS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 14, 1999

  Mr. LEWIS of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
the Redlands Foothill Groves citrus cooperative, which for the past 75 
years has been packing the very best navel oranges in downtown Redlands 
and sending them throughout the world.
  Chroniclers of California history have suggested that the lush orange 
groves of the Inland Empire were as important to the growth of the 
Golden State as the gold rush itself. From the time that the first 
navel oranges were successfully grown in towns like Redlands, Loma 
Linda, Highland and East Highlands, California became known as the 
producer of the very best fruit.
  The groves that once covered 49,000 acres of San Bernardino County 
have dwindled to just over 5,000, but the fruit produced by the members 
of the Redlands Foothill Groves is still considered some of the best in 
the world. Much of the crop that is packed here is shipped overseas, 
where it commands a premium price as a delicacy. The packinghouse

[[Page E1871]]

is one of only two remaining of the 33 that once were the economic 
heart of Redlands.
  Redlands Foothill Groves has harvested 57,257,959 field boxes of 
citrus since it was founded on Sept. 15, 1924. The fruit is marketed 
today through Sunkist Growers, Inc.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating association president 
C.R. McKeehan, general manager Tim Farmer and the 220 growers of 
Redlands Foothill Groves as they celebrate this milestone in good 
taste.

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