[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 44 (Thursday, April 18, 2002)]
[House]
[Page H1416]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             WASHINGTON STATE NAMED WINE REGION OF THE YEAR

  (Mr. NETHERCUTT asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. NETHERCUTT. Mr. Speaker, the State of Washington has long been 
known for its great people, its great natural beauty, its great 
companies like Boeing and Microsoft, and its great basketball teams. 
Now it has been designated with another honor, and that is ``Wine 
Region of the Year'' as endorsed by ``Wine Enthusiast'' magazine.
  This designation is fully justified. Washington State is now the 
second largest wine producing State in the country. It provides $2.4 
billion to the Washington State economy, and it employs 11,000 people. 
It is a small business-focused industry, and it provides tremendously 
to the jobs and the agriculture community of eastern Washington and 
western Washington. It produced 100,000 tons of grapes in the year 
2001.
  So congratulations to the State of Washington, and congratulations to 
the wine industry in the State of Washington, which helps our 
agriculture economy, and thanks to ``Wine Enthusiast'' magazine for 
making this designation.

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