[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 23, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E13]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE CAREER OF LENORD CRAFT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 23, 2002

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to ask this Congress to recognize 
Mr. Lenord Craft, the Agricultural Commissioner from our nation's 
second largest agricultural producing county, Tulare. Located in the 
nation's largest agricultural producing state, California, Mr. Craft's 
leadership is being recognized later this month. On January 25, 2002 
Mr. Craft will serve his last day in office after a distinguished 38-
year career.
  The most recent figures indicate that Tulare County farmers produce 
commodities in excess of $3 billion on 354,000 acres. This county's 
agricultural output exceeds the majority of states in this great 
nation.
  Mr. Craft's illustrious career started in 1963 as a simple AG 
inspector. He performed admirably in a variety of positions eventually 
receiving his first appointment as an agriculture commissioner in 1974 
for two small counties in California. Local governments throughout the 
state soon recognized his talents. He was hired by several for 
positions, each with greater responsibility, until the position that he 
always wanted became available.
  In 1990 he returned to Tulare County to assume the position of 
Agriculture Commissioner. Tulare leads the nation in the production of 
commodities such as dairy, navel oranges, fresh table grapes and many 
others. Consumers across America and around the world, from over 80 
countries, enjoy the products gown in Tulare County.
  Lenord's role as Agriculture Commissioner encompasses food safety 
operations, pesticide use monitoring, weights, measures, pest 
detection, exclusion and eradication efforts. Throughout his career 
Lenord Craft has become recognized as a protector of the environment, 
an enforcement arm for the consumer and an advocate for the producer. 
He is respected for his even handed approach from all quarters of 
society. California agriculture, Tulare County producers, consumers 
across America and around the world have all benefited from the intense 
love of his job and his strength in fulfilling the mandates of his 
position.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Lenord Craft for his many 
successes and years of service to Tulare County and the state of 
California. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Lenord 
congratulations for a job well done and best wishes for an enjoyable 
retirement.

                          ____________________