[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 12, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1262]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING DAVIE PINA, OF CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 12, 2007

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Mr. Davie Pina who is being honored by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers as 
their Grower of the Year on Friday, June 1, 2007. Mr. Pina is being 
recognized for his outstanding contribution both to the wine grape 
industry, and to the larger community of the Napa Valley.
  Mr. Pina is a sixth generation farmer in the Napa Valley, where he 
was born and raised. After attending California Polytechnic State 
University at San Luis Obispo, he took over and has substantially 
expanded the vineyard management business begun by his father, John 
Pina, Sr., over 40 years ago. Today he operates the thriving vineyard 
management group and is a partner running Pina Napa Valley winery as 
well as involving himself in numerous groups in the community.
  Pina Vineyard Management has been at the forefront of sustainable 
farming practices in the Napa Valley for many years, incorporating 
ecologically friendly agricultural techniques with sophisticated 
technology to help clients ensure the long-term quality of their 
vineyards. Mr. Pina's environmental consciousness extends beyond his 
work in the vineyards, as he has cochaired a local environmental 
project referred to as the Rutherford Dust River Restoration Team that 
is working to restore the watershed of the Napa River as it passes 
through the Rutherford area. He is part of an excellent leadership team 
that has brought about significant and ongoing changes to the quality 
of the habitat along the river.
  Mr. Pina has also served as the Assistant Fire Chief for the 
Rutherford Volunteer Fire Department for the past 18 years. During this 
time he has taken on numerous responsibilities, including storing the 
department's fire engine on his own property while spearheading the 
project for a permanent Silverado Fire Station that opened in 2006. As 
a professional vineyard manager, he was keenly attuned to problems in 
the industry, and last year he helped organize local farm managers, and 
ultimately facilitated the Vineyard Managers Facilities Ordinance. This 
important work has allowed the legalization of vineyard management 
operations, and will help ensure regulation and quality in Napa Valley 
agriculture.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we 
thank Mr. Davie Pina for the hard work he has done on behalf of the 
Napa Valley. As a respected manager and now winemaker, he has advanced 
the reputation of Napa Valley grapes and wine, and he has also been a 
model citizen and superb steward of the land he lives on.

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