[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 134 (Tuesday, September 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN RECOGNITION OF JOHN TRACY FOR BEING NAMED THE 2009 AGRICULTURIST OF 
                    THE YEAR BY THE KERN COUNTY FAIR

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 22, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. John Tracy of 
Buttonwillow, California, the recipient of the 2009 Agriculturist of 
the Year Award from the Kern County Fair.
  A fourth generation Californian, John Tracy was born in Bakersfield 
in 1947, the third of four sons to Tilton and Kathryn Tracy. John 
attended Wildwood Grammar School and graduated in 1965 from Wasco High 
School, where he was active in athletics and student government. 
Immediately following high school, Mr. Tracy attended California 
Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, earning a degree in Farm 
Management in 1969. While at Cal Poly, Mr. Tracy met his wife, Donna 
Allen. They married in 1970 and have two children, Allen and Jessica.
  Mr. Tracy is a member of the Historic Tracy Ranch, established in 
1862 in Buttonwillow. He is also a founding partner of the Buttonwillow 
Land and Cattle Company. Primarily an agricultural operation, the 
enterprise has ventured into other business interests such as 
commercial property, a hotel, and a feedlot in Texas. Mr. Tracy's 
business sense and work ethic are excellent examples of his fine 
character and success.
  Mr. Tracy is involved with several community and professional 
organizations including the Kern County Cattleman's Association, 
California Cattleman's Association, National Cattleman's Beef 
Association, California Feeders Association, California Beef Council, 
Cattle PAC and the Kern County Ag Foundation. He also has been active 
in the Buttonwillow Lions Club, Kern County Law Enforcement 
Association, Pismo Beach Moose Lodge, Los Flojos and Rancheros 
Visitadores. Mr. Tracy also served as Mayor of Buttonwillow in 1982.
  Mr. Tracy has been involved with the Kern County Fair throughout his 
life. He showed animals during his youth, and then helped his children, 
as well as countless others, do the same. His family's support of the 
junior livestock auction is also a testament to Mr. Tracy's 
contributions to the Kern County Fair and the community.
  John Tracy is a man of integrity, honesty and compassion. He 
genuinely cares for his community and is willing to share his vast 
knowledge with others. In addition, he and I share the same passion for 
the well-being of California's San Joaquin Valley. For this and so much 
more, I am honored to consider John Tracy a friend and certainly 
commend him for all his accomplishments and extend my most sincere 
congratulations for receiving this prestigious award from the Kern 
County Fair. As a respected agriculturalist in our nation, it is 
fitting and proper that John be so honored.

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