[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 142 (Monday, September 24, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1952]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF MIKE TORIGIANI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 24, 2007

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Mike 
Torigiani of Buttonwillow, California for receiving the 2007 
Agriculturist of the Year Award from the Kern County Fair. His 
dedication to young participants of 4-H and Future Farmers of America 
among other activities make Mike Torigiani most deserving of this 
honor.
  Mike Torigiani was born in Kern County in 1943 during World War II. 
Son of Gino and Olympia Torigiani, Mike attended Buttonwillow 
Elementary School and graduated from Shafter High School. Immediately 
following high school, Mr. Torigiani attended Bakersfield College for 
two years, after which he began his farming career.
  Mr. Torigiani formed a partnership with his uncle Oliver entitled O & 
M Farms. After 3 years of farming in that partnership, he decided to 
join his father and brother in business. Mr. Torigiani and his brother, 
Ron Torigiani, own and operate Torigiani Farms, which is a third 
generation business established in 1970.
  Mr. Torigiani has served as President of the Buttonwillow Chamber of 
Commerce and is an active member of the Buttonwillow Lions Club. In 
1975, Mr. Torigiani was named as Buttonwillow's Honorary Mayor. He has 
served on the Kern County Fair Beef Board for over twenty years and, 
serving in this capacity, he has enjoyed every moment he has been 
affiliated with the Junior Livestock at the Kern County Fair. Mr. 
Torigiani has shown his interest and dedication through countless hours 
helping young people raise livestock for the Kern County Fair.
  Mr. Torigiani married Sandy Bulluomini in 1965 and together they have 
two sons, Steve, who is an attorney and partner in Young Wooldridge Law 
Firm, and Jim, who is an entomologist with Western Farm Service. His 
grandchildren, Tyler and Mia, are the light of his life and he looks 
forward to sharing the joy and tradition of the Kern County Fair with 
them.
  The leadership and commitment Mr. Torigiani has shown to the Kern 
County Fair and the Kern County youth has never wavered. He personifies 
a man of principle and integrity. Mike Torigiani is a role model for 
all of us and it is with great pride that I congratulate him for 
receiving this distinguished award and for all that he does for Kern 
County residents.

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