[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 9, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              CONGRATULATING COMMON THREADS AWARD WINNERS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 9, 2004

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Susan 
Cohen, Parry Mead Murray, Margo Souza and Barbara Vineyard, the 
recipients of the 2004 Sacramento Valley Common Threads Award. This 
award is presented to women in agriculture who have made a remarkable 
contribution to their community through volunteer work and 
philanthropy.
  Susan Cohen has been involved in numerous agricultural activities 
throughout her life. Since 1989, she has held the position of the 
Solano County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights & 
Measures. She serves as a key part of the regulatory system that 
promotes and protects California's $28 billion agricultural industry. 
Susan was Monterey County's Senior Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in 
the Salinas Valley, where she started out as a Produce Inspector and 
worked her way up to a wide variety of regulatory inspections. She also 
administered the county Agricultural Advisory Committee, appointed by 
the Board of Supervisors, and became a point person for minor crop 
pesticide regulations.
  Parry Mead Murray has been active in the grape industry for over 20 
years. She served as Mead Ranch Vineyard Manager for 22 years and 
assisted with the conservation easement placed on the property. Parry 
currently sits as board member of the Napa Valley Grape Growers 
Association. She serves as Vice President of the Giles W. & Elise G. 
Mead Foundation, whose contributions go toward conservation and 
resource management issues. Parry is also a committee member of the 
Archer Taylor Preserve Land Trust of Napa County, a committee that 
targets the planning and implementation of long-term property 
management for one of the oldest and largest strands of Redwood trees.
  Margo Souza has been dedicated to the dairy industry her entire life. 
She has spent the past 20 years as a successful manager in all facets 
of dairy farming. Margo played a key role in securing a $100,000 grant 
from the Buy California initiative to place milk vending machines in 
selected high schools. She was chair of the Western United Dairymen's 
2003 Convention, the year of their biggest trade show ever. Margo also 
served as the first woman president for the Growers Harvesting 
Committee in 1996. In addition, she has had several professional 
appointments that include the California Agriculture and Water 
Committee in 1999, the California Milk Advisory Board since 1997, and 
the Western United Dairymen since 1994, among others.
  Barbara Vineyard has been an active leader of 4-H for 47 years. She 
was on the 4-H County Council serving as president, secretary, and area 
coordinator. Barbara has chaired many County and Regional events and 
served on the Regional and State Leaders Councils, as well as director 
of the California 4-H Foundation. She is chairman of the Mt. Pleasant 
Hall Committee and assists with fundraisers for the community hall, 
which is owned by the Placer County Farm Bureau. Barbara also helped 
form the Placer County. Farm Bureau Young People's organization which 
she remains active in today.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to recognize the 2004 Sacramento Valley Common 
Threads Award winners. These women have shown outstanding involvement, 
not only in agriculture, but also in strengthening their respective 
communities. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing these honorees 
a bright future and continued success.

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