[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 21, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E21]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHN W. LAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 21, 2004

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on behalf of Representative 
Dooley, Representative Nunes and myself, to honor John W. Lake on the 
occasion of his being distinguished as an Honorary Alumni Member of the 
California Agricultural Leadership Foundation's California Agricultural 
Leadership Program. This designation will be bestowed upon Mr. Lake at 
the annual conference of this organization.
  Selection for this distinction is reserved for ``special individuals 
who have, over a period of time, demonstrated consistent commitment and 
uncommon excellence in the furtherance of education and leadership in 
California agriculture.'' The mission of the California Agricultural 
Leadership Program is to enhance the long-term viability of California 
agriculture through leadership development, which in turn benefits the 
people and the communities that agriculture serves.
  A native Californian, John graduated from the University of 
California, Santa Barbara in 1970 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 
Mechanical Engineering. He also completed one year of graduate work in 
Mechanical Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In 1974, Mr. Lake 
began his career with Rain for Rent, working his way through the 
Engineering and Manufacturing Departments and management of Lake and 
Lake International, irrigation subsidiaries of Western Oilfields Supply 
Company. He founded Lake Leasing Company in 1983, Rain for Rent's 
agricultural irrigation equipment financing division. John has served 
as President and Chief Executive Officer since April of 1990.
  Since its beginning in 1934, Western Oilfields Supply Company/Rain 
for Rent has evolved and expanded in its product offering and the 
markets it services, providing solutions to temporary liquid-handling 
problems. Their products and services cover a wide variety of 
industries, including, but not limited to: construction, petro-
chemical, municipal, environmental, agricultural, and other industrial 
businesses that are serviced by 47 branches and 650 professionals 
nationwide. During John's tenure as President, the company has expanded 
into the tank, pump and specialty rental markets.
  Mr. Lake is active in the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Advisory Council, 
the California Agricultural Leadership Program, the Fellowship of 
Companies for Christ International, Quest Club, Idaho Irrigation 
Association and Safari Club International. John and his wife, Sheila, 
have two sons and attend Fruitvale Community Church in Bakersfield, 
California.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with Representative Dooley and 
Representative Nunes to pay tribute to John W. Lake as an Honorary 
Alumni Member of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation's 
California Agricultural Leadership Program. I invite my colleagues to 
join me in wishing John many years of continued success.

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