[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1944]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                HONORING GUY WILLIAM KAY OF NAPA COUNTY

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
accomplishments of Guy William Kay on the occasion of his recognition 
by the Napa Chapter of the Sierra Club with the Earl Thollander 
Environmental Award. Mr. Kay is being honored for his contributions to 
environmental causes in the Napa Valley, and I would like to add my 
voice to those applauding his work as a steward of our natural 
resources.
  Mr. Kay was born in New York and grew up in New Jersey. He attended 
Penn State University where he studied botany while finding time to win 
an NCAA championship as a runner. After a stint as a medic with the 
United States Armed Forces in Korea, Mr. Kay went to work for the 
Nestle Company, where his ability quickly garnered a move into 
operations management. He transferred to the Napa Valley in 1972 to 
direct the operations of the Beringer Winery, then newly acquired by 
Nestle.
  Mr. Kay has been active in the Napa community for many years, and 
this has continued beyond his retirement from Beringer in 1993. Having 
served two terms as President of the Napa Valley Vintners' Association 
and as a City Councilman for my hometown of St. Helena from 1978 
through 1984, Guy Kay has maintained his civic commitment through his 
seat on the steering committee for the Napa County General Plan.
  Mr. Speaker, balancing economic development and the desire to 
preserve unblemished, natural spaces is a quandary all too familiar for 
residents of the Napa Valley. Mr. Kay has been working for many years 
to address this through his participation in the Local Agency Formation 
Commission of Napa Valley. His vision and experience has been welcome 
as Napa County continues to develop. At the same time, he has channeled 
his love of bird watching into a project with the Audubon society 
surveying the activity of breeding birds, ensuring that their habitats 
are undisturbed.
  Mr. Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we 
thank Guy Kay for his contributions to the Napa Valley, and 
congratulate him on this recognition by the Sierra Club. His active 
participation in the life of Napa County is invaluable, and I know that 
he will continue to find roles from which to better our community.

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