[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 110 (Wednesday, July 11, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNITION OF THE 2007 SANTA ROSA COUNTY OUTSTANDING FARM FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 11, 2007

  Mr. MILLER. Madam Speaker, it is a great honor for me to rise today 
to extend congratulations to the Rufus Hayes family for being selected 
the 2007 Santa Rosa County Outstanding Farm Family. Since 1969, the 
Hayes family has been actively involved in farming in Northwest 
Florida.
  Both Rufus and his wife Sandy have been involved with Santa Rosa 
County in my district for over several decades. Rufus started the 
family ranch in 1969 with just a barn and a few horses, and Sandy 
worked with the county school system in addition to keeping the books 
for the family ranch. Cutting horses was Rufus's specialty, and over 
the years many more services were added that helped others in the 
community. Not only were there riding lessons, boarding services, and 
tack sales, the Hayes Ranch also had cattle and even buffalo for horse 
training.
  Of their four children, seven grandchildren, and one great 
grandchild, many also participate in the operation of and activity on 
the ranch. Their son Phil raises bucking bulls, produces bull riding 
events, and breaks horses just like his father did when he first 
started the ranch. The ranch also has week-long riding camps offered by 
Phil's wife Becky, and their daughter Jill helps with these camps as 
well as taking care of the horses boarded there. The rest of the family 
are regular visitors to the ranch, helping Rufus and Sandy with day-to-
day operations as well as enjoying the recreation on the Hayes Ranch 
such as family picnics and fishing in the many ponds.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I would like 
to offer my sincere commendation to a family that is a role model for 
all of us. A deep sense of civic contribution and values has been 
instilled through all the generations of the Rufus Hayes family. It is 
my hope that this family tradition continues for many more generations.

                          ____________________