[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 57 (Wednesday, April 21, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E613]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A TRIBUTE TO BROADCASTING LEGEND ROY ISOM

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                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 21, 2010

  Mr. NUNES. Madam Speaker, the San Joaquin Valley has lost a 
broadcasting giant. Roy Isom, the ``voice of agriculture'' in the 
valley, passed away on April 15, 2010. Because agriculture is so vital 
to the survival of our communities, Roy could also be called the 
``voice of the valley.''
  Roy was in television and radio for more than four decades. San 
Joaquin Valley radio listeners were truly fortunate when he joined KMJ 
Radio Fresno in 1981 as news director and farm news editor. Roy 
produced an hour-long morning agricultural news show each day in tune 
with the needs and concerns of farmers and businesses in the valley. 
His program was influential in educating Californians about the 
important role agriculture plays in their lives.
  Because of his outstanding reporting, Roy won two coveted awards. In 
1994, he was the California Farm Bureau Federation Agricultural 
Reporter of the Year. In 2005, he was a recipient of the Fresno County 
Farm Bureau Heavy Puller Award. Roy won these awards because he was one 
of the best and most knowledgeable reporters on agricultural issues in 
California. It is a fitting memorial to Roy that a scholarship in his 
name has been established with the Ag One Foundation at California 
State University, Fresno.
  Roy was also member of the prestigious National Association of Farm 
Broadcasters and an active member of the Sanger Masonic Lodge.
  Like all residents of the valley, I extend my condolences to Roy's 
family and friends during their time of grief. I can only hope that it 
is of comfort to those closest to Roy to know that the ``voice of 
agriculture'' may be silent now, but his legendary reporting on 
agriculture issues will be remembered for generations to come.

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