[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 25 (Thursday, February 25, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING EDWARD BALOIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 25, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Edward ``Ed'' Baloian upon being awarded with the Ag One 
``2010 Community Salute.'' Mr. Baloian will be recognized on Saturday, 
February 27, 2010 at the Ag One event benefiting the Jordan College of 
Agricultural Science and Technology at California State University, 
Fresno.
  In 1923, Ed Baloian's father, Charles, started a full-service produce 
business, Charles Baloian Company, Inc. In 1945, upon returning home 
from serving their country in World War II, Ed and his brother, James, 
joined their father as partners in the family business.
  In 1965, the Baloians formed Pam Pak Distributors, Inc., to package 
and market fresh vegetables from a large number of local growers. Ed 
Baloian took on the responsibility of managing the operations at Pam 
Pak Distributors. Just three years later, in an effort to increase 
their annual business and to supply the rising local demand for their 
products, Pam Pak began its own farming operation.
  Mr. James Baloian retired from the family business in 1985, and later 
that year, Mr. Baloian and his son, Tim, started a new branch to the 
company, Baloian Packing. This new business continued the efforts of 
Pam Pak, their number one label, and included Marty Boy, Balo and 
Valley Jewels. With the increased business, Mr. Ed Baloian was elected 
Chairman of the Board and Mr. Tim Baloian was elected President of the 
Board of Pam Pak Distributors.
  Today, the company continues to be headquartered in Fresno, 
California. Under Mr. Baloian's leadership the company has grown to 
include a majority of the San Joaquin Valley, with extensions into 
Mexico and Chile. The company is a leading California fresh fruit and 
vegetable grower, shipper and packer. The company specializes in bell 
peppers, lettuce, eggplant, red onions, melons and squash. The company 
ships these products to grocery stores, restaurants and food service 
customers around the United States and Canada.
  Outside of the farming and shipping industry, Mr. Baloian is very 
active in Rotary, is a Paul Harris Fellow and has served on the council 
at Peoples Church in Fresno, California. Recently, Mr. Baloian accepted 
the Central California Excellence in Business Award on behalf of his 
company.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Edward 
Baloian upon being awarded with the Ag One ``2010 Community Salute'' 
for his tremendous support of the agriculture community. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Baloian many years of continued 
success.

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