[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 17, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNITION OF THE 2007 OKALOOSA COUNTY FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR

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                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 17, 2007

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Madam Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. Congress, 
it is an honor for me to rise today in recognition of the Gerald Brooks 
family for being selected the 2007 Okaloosa County Farm Family of the 
Year and for their contributions to the agricultural development of 
Baker, a city in my district in northwest Florida.
  For over 35 years, Gerald and his wife Mary have been actively 
involved in farming in northwest Florida. Gerald was born and raised on 
the farm and while being one of nine children, he was the only child 
who stayed in farming. The family business began around 1930, when 
Gerald's grandparents relocated from Evergreen, Alabama to Okaloosa 
County. They moved to the farm's present location in 1940. 
Sharecropping corn with his grandfather during his last year of high 
school helped to groom young Gerald for one day taking over the family 
farm.
  After serving in the United States Army from 1969 to 1971, Gerald 
began farming full time. He demonstrated his tremendous work ethic in 
all aspects of farming. He has worked tirelessly to improve the 
agricultural and farming practices for his community by serving on the 
Farm Bureau of Directors and the Okaloosa County Extension Advisory 
Committee for several years. Gerald continues to assist the local 
Extension office by offering his land for on-farm demonstrations, which 
includes a current project with a soybean Asian rust plot.
  Throughout the years, the Brooks family farm has produced cotton, 
peanuts, soybeans, wheat, and the largest selection of fresh vegetables 
in the area. Gerald personally plans, plants, and manages all growing 
of the crops in addition to other day-to-day operations on the farm, 
while his sister, Kathy, oversees the harvesting and marketing of the 
crops.
  Madam Speaker, on behalf of the U.S. 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 Gerald Brooks family. It is my hope 
that this family tradition continues for many more generations.

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