[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 80 (Thursday, May 15, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E932]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING LEE HUDSON OF NAPA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 15, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Mr. Lee Hudson, who is being honored by the Napa Valley Grapegrowers as 
their Grower of the Year on Friday, May 16, 2008. Mr. Hudson is being 
recognized for his outstanding contributions to the wine grape industry 
and the larger community of the Napa Valley.
  Hudson Vineyards has established itself over the last 25 years as one 
of the truly great vineyards of the Napa Valley. Mr. Hudson found his 
love for winemaking early on, receiving his B.S. in Horticulture from 
the University of Arizona and continuing his education in Viticulture 
and Enology at the University of California, Davis. Mr. Hudson's 
dedication and passion to his craft shows in the number of critically 
acclaimed wines that Hudson Vineyards has produced and continues 
producing today.
  Throughout his career, Lee Hudson has set a lofty standard for 
farming in the Napa Valley. These high standards are reflected not only 
in the quality of his fruit and clients, but also in the loyalty of his 
employees. In recent years, Mr. Hudson has brought significant benefits 
to some of his field-based employees by offering after-hours English 
courses and low-cost housing options on the ranch.
  Mr. Hudson is a great role model for other growers in the industry 
through his innovation, progressive farming techniques, and managing 
vineyards and surrounding land with a ``systems approach''. This 
``systems approach'' makes Hudson Vineyards stand out among the rest in 
land stewardship and land conservation. Mr. Hudson sets a tremendous 
example with his strong advocacy for the preservation of agriculture in 
the Napa Valley, as well as his active involvement with the Napa Valley 
Grapegrowers.
  Madam Speaker and colleagues, it is appropriate at this time that we 
thank Mr. Lee Hudson for the incredible work he has done on behalf of 
the Napa Valley. As a respected grape grower he has advanced the 
reputation of Napa Valley grapes and wine, and has been a model citizen 
and superb steward of the land.

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