[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 176 (Wednesday, November 14, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2414-E2415]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING CLARE AND MARYELLEN BERRYHILL

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 14, 2007

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the lives of 
Clare and Maryellen Berryhill for their tremendous dedication to 
promoting agriculture in the Central Valley. The Berryhills are being 
honored at The Greater Yosemite Council Boy Scouts of America's Annual 
Distinguished Citizens Dinner on October 24, 2007 in Modesto, CA.
  Clare Berryhill was born and raised in the Central Valley. He was a 
third generation farmer and winegrape grower. Mr. Berryhill attended 
Modesto Junior College and the University of California, Santa Barbara, 
where he majored in agriculture. Clare Berryhill and Maryellen Rossel, 
of Modesto, were married in 1949.
  While managing their ranch in Ceres, CA, both became very involved in 
the community. Mr. Berryhill operated a fruit dehydrating business, and 
in 1960 he was named Young Farmer in Stanislaus County. He was the 
first president of the California Winegrape Growers Association. He was 
also one of many generations in the family to serve on the Ceres 
Unified School Board of Trustees. During this

[[Page E2415]]

time Mrs. Berryhill helped to manage the farm, taught music at Denair 
High School and was involved in the Parent Teacher Association.
  In 1969, Mr. Berryhill's involvement turned to politics. He was asked 
to run for the California Assembly and won. His victory was a crucial 
one and he was even congratulated, in person, by then Governor Ronald 
Reagan. He served as an Assemblyman from 1969 to 1970. Later, he was 
elected into office as a California State senator, where in 1976 he 
successfully authored landmark legislation to establish the annual 
``Grape Crush Report''. This is a reporting process that became 
essential to the economic wellbeing of the winegrape and wine 
industries. Also, as State senator, he was able to have enough land 
donated to Modesto Junior College to expand the campus. He served as a 
State senator from 1972 to 1976.
  One last service to the California government came after Mr. 
Berryhill's retirement. He was asked by Governor George Deukmejian to 
serve as California Director (Secretary) of Agriculture. At the time, 
California was battling African bees, Mexican fruit flies, gypsy moths, 
apple maggots and a contamination scare with cheese, watermelons, and 
grapes. With his previous leadership experience and his knowledge of 
agriculture, Mr. Berryhill was able to help develop an agriculture 
policy in California that continues to stand today. Due to his efforts 
in resolving these problems, he was featured in ``People'' magazine.
  Mrs. Berryhill and their five children Betsy, Tom, Lynne, Janie, and 
Bill supported Mr. Berryhill in all of his campaigns. They volunteered 
by walking precincts, playing musical instruments and traveling 
throughout the districts in the Berryhill Band Wagon. Mr. and Mrs. 
Berryhill enjoyed their family, community, politics, art and the land. 
They traveled between three homes in their retirement: a cattle ranch 
in Montana, a home in San Carlos, Mexico, and their original ranch in 
Ceres, California. Clare Berryhill passed away in March of 1996 and 
Maryellen Berryhill passed away in July of this year. They have left a 
legacy that is not easily matched. They are survived by their five 
children, eleven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Clare and Maryellen 
Berryhill for the impact that they had on agriculture in the Central 
Valley and the State of California. I invite my colleagues to join me 
in honoring their lives and wishing the best for their family.

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