[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 18, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E490]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ANNE HESTER

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 18, 2003

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Anne Hester on the 
occasion of her being selected as a recipient for the 2002 Common 
Threads Award. Common Threads is a joint venture of the Agricultural 
Education Foundation, California State University, Fresno's College of 
Agricultural Sciences and Technology, and AG ONE Foundation. The award 
is given to women who have made a remarkable and visible contribution 
to the enhancement of their communities with their time and/or 
contributions. Honorees must live in Fresno, Kings, Madera, Merced, or 
Tulare County. They should have past or present roots in agriculture 
while showing outstanding involvement in a variety of community 
activities in addition to agriculture. The honorees make a difference 
with their philanthropic giving while serving as visible and credible 
role models for other women.
  Anne married into a 3rd generation farming family, and she and her 
husband, Gary, are principles in Hester Orchards. Anne has played a 
major role in her and her husband's diversified orchard crops, nut 
processing, and farm management companies. She is actively involved in 
the operation and manages the administrative office.
  Anne has been active in many agriculture and education organizations. 
Mrs. Hester served as chairperson for the Tulare County Farm Bureau and 
acted as the driving force for its Ag Education, Youth Leadership, 
Fundraising, and Scholarship committees. She recognized that Ag needed 
to reach out to student leaders and educate them about agriculture and 
its importance before they went on in their education. Because of her 
commitment to youth, Anne was also involved in a program at 
Farmersville High School where she helped at-risk kids get jobs in an 
effort to redirect their lives. Mrs. Hester's philanthropic devotion to 
helping the education of youth and her active involvement in the 
farming industry make her a significant part of the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to honor Anne Hester for her superior 
service to the public and her leadership in the agriculture community. 
I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Anne many years of continued 
success.

                          ____________________