[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 131 (Tuesday, September 23, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1858]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING MAX AND VERDA FOSTER

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                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 23, 2003

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Max and 
Verda Foster who are receiving the ``Pioneer Award'' from the 
California Poultry Federation. As the founders of Foster Farms, they 
provided countless economic opportunities to local workers and shaped 
the poultry industry today.
  Max and Verda Foster launched Foster Farms in 1939 on an 80-acre 
ranch just outside of Modesto, CA. With a small loan and his earnings 
as City Editor of The Modesto Bee the couple was able to raise their 
first batch of chickens and turkeys. Dedicated to their vision of 
providing better, safer farm products to the consumer they expanded 
their company to dairy as well as poultry. Blazing the path in both the 
dairy and poultry industry they remained steadfast in their 
determination to uphold the principles upon which Foster Farms was 
founded: Excellence, Honesty, Quality, and Service.
  Always a leader in the industry, Foster Farms always accepted and 
embraced new technology. In fact, the Fosters were often leaders in 
this arena as well. With the consumer in mind, Max Foster worked to 
revolutionize the industry by computerizing both the poultry and dairy 
operations. Many of his ideas are still in use today.
  Not only were the Fosters dedicated to the consumer but also 
dedicated to protecting farm land as well. They always used natural 
chicken fertilizer on their dairies and led the industry by having the 
first Manurial Lagoon. Both Foster Farms' dairy and poultry products 
continue to be hormone free.
  The Fosters' impact can be felt among many in their local community 
as well. Foster Farms currently employs more than 9,000 people in their 
poultry and dairy operations. They are one of the largest employers in 
Stanislaus County. The vision and passion for quality shared by Max and 
Vera Foster in 1939 remains the legacy of every Foster Farms employee 
today. Leading it to become the largest poultry company in the Western 
United States with annual sales in excess of $1 billion. It is my honor 
and distinction to recognize the efforts of Max and Verda Foster and to 
represent their legacy Foster Farms in the 18th Congressional District.

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