[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 41 (Tuesday, April 4, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E514-E515]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF PHIL LARSON, 2006 FRESNO COUNTY FARM BUREAU 
                 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD RECIPIENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, April 4, 2006

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleagues, 
Representatives Cardoza, Nunes and Radanovich, to honor Phil Larson of 
Kerman, California, the recipient of the 2006 Fresno County Farm Bureau 
``Distinguished Service'' Award.
  Phil has been a lifelong farmer and Fresno County resident. He began 
his career as an agricultural chemical sales representative and worked 
for over 37 years for the Wilbur Ellis Company. While fulfilling this 
job, he also farmed for his family's vineyard in Kerman; where today, 
he still farms raisins. The expertise he gained over the years in 
agriculture earned Phil much respect from members in

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the agriculture community, particularly the Fresno County Farm Bureau.
  Phil has had an extensive and outstanding career in the Fresno County 
Farm Bureau. Following his long membership, he became involved on the 
board of directors where he served as the first agricultural chemical 
chairman in the late 1980s. In 1996, he became the president of the 
bureau and served for over two years. Phil believes, and once stated, 
the ``Farm Bureau represents the morality of agriculture.''
  During his term as president of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, Phil 
was a strong advocate for agriculture and farming industries. He 
spearheaded the advancement and introduction of several water supply, 
pesticide use and farm related pieces of legislation. Phil was also on 
the forefront of several priority-setting documents such as ``A 
Landscape of Choice''--the land use policy document of April 1998. He 
was extremely dedicated in addressing agricultural issues and was 
deemed a ``24-hour President'' for his unrelenting commitment to serve 
the bureau.
  Amazingly enough, the 24-hour President also found time to lend a 
helping hand in his community. Phil Larson's involvement in his 
community has been far-reaching, ranging from serving as the Kerman 
High football announcer to the California Farm Bureau Federation State 
Director for District 7 in 2000-2001. He has served on the State board 
of California Agriculture Production Consultants Association and has 
been involved with several other boards and organizations including the 
Western Crop Protection Chemicals Association, Fresno County/City 
Chamber of Commerce, Kerman Unified School District Board, Kerman 
Covenant Church Board and Kerman High Boosters. At present, he serves 
as the District One supervisor and chair of the Fresno County Board of 
Supervisors.
  As the supervisor for District One and board chair, Phil Larson 
represents the Fresno County Board of Supervisors on several boards and 
commissions such as the Central Valley Project Authority, Mid-Valley 
Water Authority, San Joaquin River Conservancy, San Joaquin Valley 
Supervisors Endangered Species Committee, Transportation Authority and 
the Governing Board of the Fresno Madera Area Agency on Aging. 
Undoubtedly, Phil continues to serve his community and has received 
numerous awards and recognitions for his exceptional service.
  Phil Larson's commitment to advance the agricultural industry in the 
Valley and his wide-ranging contributions to the community, and his 
church are accomplishments worthy of recognition. It is my pleasure to 
honor such a great man and I want to extend, on behalf of the residents 
of Fresno County, my sincerest appreciation for his dedication and 
service and offer my heartfelt congratulations to Phil for receiving 
the 2006 Fresno County Farm Bureau ``Distinguished Service'' Award.

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