[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 75 (Saturday, May 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E990]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNIZING RICHARD THOMAS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, May 25, 2001

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Richard Thomas, who is retiring after 28 years as the viticulture 
instructor at Santa Rosa Junior College in Sonoma County, California
  Mr. Thomas is the country's leading authority on wine grape 
production and has introduced growing techniques that have improved the 
crop quality and made Sonoma County one of the premier wine grape 
growing regions in the world.
  During a yearlong sabbatical in New Zealand and Australia in the late 
1980's, Mr. Thomas studied vine trellising techniques that 
revolutionized wine grape growing in California. By managing the 
grapevine's leaf canopy and lifting the vines to expose the grapes to 
air and sunshine, the fruit is more flavorful and is less susceptible 
to disease. By utilizing the technique taught by Mr. Thomas, growers 
are able to produce the highest quality of grapes. Sonoma County is now 
considered the world leader in canopy management.
  Mr. Thomas has educated and trained the majority of people who own or 
manage vineyards on California's North Coast. According to his own 
estimates, 70% of Sonoma County's vineyards are either owned or managed 
by one of his former students.
  In addition to his teaching duties, Mr. Thomas founded the Sonoma 
County Grape Growers Association and the Sonoma County Vineyard 
Technical Group.
  He has coordinated the wine judging at the Sonoma County Harvest 
Fair, the West Coast Wine Judging in Reno, Nevada and the Central Coast 
Wine Judging in Santa Maria, California.
  Mr. Thomas lectures throughout the country on wine grape growing and 
also writes a monthly column for Vineyard & Winery Management Magazine.
  Mr. Speaker, because of Mr. Thomas' innumerable contributions to wine 
grape growing and specifically to the industry in Sonoma County, it is 
fitting to honor him today and to congratulate him for his many 
accomplishments.

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