[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1853]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING THE RAYMOND FAMILY ON THE OCCASION OF THEIR 30TH ANNUAL 
                               ``CRUSH''

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2003

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and 
celebrate a great family tradition that has been taking place in St. 
Helena, CA for the last 30 years. This weekend the Raymond family 
celebrated their 30th annual ``crush'' at the Raymond Vineyard winery. 
The crush marks the annual harvesting of grapes and the beginning of 
the process of turning grapes into fine Napa Valley wine.
  Over the last 30 years three generations of Raymonds have worked 
extremely hard to build their small business into one of the true 
success stories of the Napa Valley. And along the way, they have 
produced some outstanding, award winning wines.
  Roy Raymond, Sr., arrived in the Napa Valley in 1933 and began his 
winery career as a cellar worker at Beringer Brothers Winery. After a 
distinguished career at Beringer, Roy Sr. and his two sons, Roy Jr. and 
Walter, decided it was time to start making wine under the Raymond 
name. So in 1974, with a small, metal farm shed serving as a winery, 
and an office and tasting room in their backyard pool house, the 
Raymonds held their very first crush of grapes that became their first 
vintage of 1974 wine.
  It may have been a small beginning, but big things are happening at 
the Raymond winery. Today the winery is producing 300,000 cases of 
premium wine each year. Roy Jr.'s son, Craig, and Walter's daughter, 
Chrissie, are the third generation of Raymonds working hard to build on 
the family's success. The hard work and determination of all of the 
Raymonds has made them one of the real leaders of our Napa Valley 
community.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to salute Roy Jr., Walter, Craig and Chrissie 
Raymond for carrying on the great traditions of their family business. 
Roy Sr. is no longer alive, but I know he would be extremely proud of 
his family to see the Raymond Vineyard winery going strong as it marks 
its 30th crush. I congratulate all of the Raymonds on reaching this 
great milestone and look forward to celebrating many more with them.

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