[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 147 (Thursday, November 14, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2012-E2013]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 COMMEMORATING THE 50-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE WESTLANDS WATER DISTRICT

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                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 13, 2002

  Mr. DOOLEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the Westlands 
Water District, which celebrates its 50-year anniversary on November 
17, 2002. I have the privilege of representing many Westlands water 
users in Congress.
  The Westlands Water District encompasses over 600,000 acres, of which 
560,000 acres are applicable for irrigated agricultural production in 
Fresno and Kings counties. Westlands is comprised by approximately 600 
family-owned farms and 2,400 landowners, making Westlands the largest 
water district in the world.
  For 50 years, the Westlands Water District has been a leader in 
innovative irrigated agriculture and water resource utilization in the 
Western United States. Through its irrigation practices, Westlands and 
its farmers have helped develop the west side of the San Joaquin Valley 
into one of the leading agricultural producing regions in the world.
  Farming in the area known as Westlands began during California's Gold 
Rush era. Irrigated agricultural production began around 1915 and by 
1942, landowners organized to develop a water supply system.
  Westlands Water District itself was formed in 1952 and began 
delivering contracted water from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to 
farms on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in 1968.
  The leadership that has characterized the first 50 years of the 
Westlands Water District has helped to make the west side of the San 
Joaquin Valley a unique place of opportunity for families and small 
businesses.
  Today the farmers of Westlands produce over 60 different commercial 
food and fiber crops sold for fresh, dry, canned and frozen food 
markets, both domestic and for export. The estimated annual production 
value of agricultural commodities produced in Westlands is $1 billion, 
which generates approximately $3.5 billion in related economic activity 
for Fresno and Kings Counties.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating 
the Westlands Water District for fifty years of valuable service to the 
residents of the west side of the San Joaquin Valley and in wishing 
them continued success in the future.

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