[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONGRATULATING JACK STONE AS 2002 AGRICULTURIST OF THE YEAR

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jack Stone 
for receiving the 2002 Agriculturist of the Year Award at the Greater 
Fresno Area Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon in Fresno, California 
on November 13, 2002. This lifetime achievement award is given annually 
to an individual who exemplifies leadership and integrity in the 
Central Valley's agricultural business community.
  Jack Stone graduated from the University of California, Davis. In 
1940, he began farming and later sold his farm in order to serve his 
country for four years as a Captain in the Army Corps of Engineers. In 
1946, Jack began to farm again on undeveloped Central Valley land and 
then organized the J.G. Stone Land Company two years later. Jack has 
served as President of the Westlands Water District, the National 
Cotton Council, the Western Cotton Growers Association, and formerly 
served as chairman of the Producers Steering Committee of the National 
Cotton Council. He currently serves as a California Farm Water 
Coalition Board Member.
  Jack is a second-generation farmer specializing in cotton, grains, 
and a half dozen other field crops on 6,000 acres in the Stratford and 
Lemoore areas in Central California. He has always worked for the 
interests of young farmers by supporting the development of the 
agriculture program at Coalinga's West Hills College, and by being a 
steadfast supporter of the cotton program and judging contests at the 
California State University, Fresno campus. Jack has also consistently 
fought for development of an adequate, reliable, and affordable water 
supply for California. Today, much of J.G. Stone Land Company's daily 
activities are run by Jack's son, Bill, and his grandchildren, though 
Jack remains the patriarch of the four-generation farming operation.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Jack Stone for earning the 
2002 Agriculturist of the Year Award. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Jack Stone many years of continued success.

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