[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 94 (Wednesday, July 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


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          HONORING RICHARD JOHNSON, SENIOR FARMER OF THE YEAR

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 13, 2005

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Richard Johnson 
for being selected as the 2005 Madera Chamber of Commerce Senior Farmer 
of the Year. Mr. Richard Johnson will be recognized at the Madera 
County Farm Bureau's 84th Annual Meeting and Senior Farmer Presentation 
on July 14th in Madera, California.
  Mr. Johnson is a model of excellence in his community. For over 51 
years, Richard has been a part of the agricultural community. As a 
child, Richard grew up working on a 300 acre farm, and upon entering 
Madera High School, he continued to strengthen his appreciation for 
Agriculture through his active membership in Future Farmers of America.
  After graduating from Madera High School, Richard went on to attend 
Fresno State where he majored in Agriculture. Upon returning from 
military service with the United States Air Force (1951-1955), Mr. 
Johnson returned to farming in Madera County, where today he continues 
to farm a diverse bounty of crops and livestock on 1,940 acres.
  Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Madera County Farm Bureau for 
over 30 years, over 11 of which he has served as a member of the 
organization's Board of Directors. In addition, Richard Johnson has 
tirelessly devoted his time to numerous community organizations and 
projects, including Coats for Kids, Chowchilla 20-30 Club, and the 
Madera County Republican Central Committee. During the Christmas 
season, Mr. Johnson can be seen visiting local elementary schools 
dressed as Santa Claus.
  Richard Johnson, together with his wife Lila Nelson-Johnson, have 3 
sons.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Richard Johnson upon being 
named Senior Farmer of the Year by the Madera Chamber of Commerce. His 
contributions to America's agricultural communities and to his country 
have been invaluable. I invite my colleagues to join me in commending 
Mr. Johnson for this achievement.

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