[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 137 (Monday, December 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2154]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING TEENA M. BOREK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MARIO DIAZ-BALART

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, December 6, 2004

  Mr. MARIO DIAZ-BALART of Florida. I would like to rise in order to 
honor Teena M. Borek--the 2004 Woman of the Year in Agriculture. She is 
a pioneer in the agriculture industry and an incredible example to 
young women throughout America.
  When her husband tragically died in 1980, Teena decided to run their 
farm and became the only female vegetable farmer in Miami-Dade County. 
Impressively, she was able to successfully run the farm while raising 
two young toddlers, who are now both involved in agriculture.
  In the late 1980s, Teena Borek played a large role in bringing needed 
computer technology to farms and worked with the Community Bank of 
Florida to ensure that appropriate financing mechanisms were in place 
to increase access to this important technology. Not surprisingly, 
Borek Farms was the first Homestead vegetable farm to use a computer.
  Using her knowledge from when she first handled the books at Borek 
Farms, Teena also helped implement an accounting program for farms that 
is still in use today.
  Her achievements in advancing agricultural crops is also 
unparalleled. Teena became the first Miami-Dade County farmer to use 
the linear irrigation system and Borek Farms had the first commercially 
grown Florida 7862 tomato.
  One of her greatest achievements, however, is the impact she has had 
on young women. As a female pioneer in Florida agriculture, she has 
paved a path for young women in an industry that has largely been 
dominated by men. Currently, she is serving as the second female 
President of the Dade County Farm Bureau and has mentored many young 
women, including the current executive director of the Farm Bureau.
  I have had the honor of visiting with Teena and learning about the 
many achievements she has made for Florida's agriculture industry. 
After getting to know her and better understand the work of Steven 
Borek Farms, it seems clear that Teena's contribution to Florida 
agriculture will be understood well beyond our lifetime.
  She may be most recognized for her work in Miami-Dade County, but her 
achievements have impacted the entire state of Florida. While advancing 
the entire industry through technological expansion, she paved the path 
for generations of women hoping to enter the industry.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in honoring and congratulating Teena 
M. Borek on being named the 2004 Woman of the Year in Agriculture by 
the Florida Farm Bureau.

                          ____________________