[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 109 (Thursday, July 22, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1400]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHNNY DENIZ

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and 
congratulate Johnny Deniz on being honored as the Madera Chamber of 
Commerce 2010 Senior Farmer of the Year. Mr. Deniz will be recognized 
at the annual Senior Farmer Dinner on Thursday, July 22, 2010.
  Mr. Johnny Deniz was born on July 24, 1931 in Madera, California. At 
the age of 18, he began his farming career. During his 60 years of 
farming, he has grown almonds, cling peaches, nectarines, plums, table 
grapes, wine grapes, tomatoes, cotton, prunes and alfalfa. Throughout 
his career, Mr. Deniz has owned and operated farms of all sizes, 
ranging from 450 acres to 2,000 acres.
  Mr. Deniz's legacy in Madera County agriculture has been his 
contribution toward protecting the county's water supplies, including 
fighting for historic water rights and federal contracts. Mr. Deniz has 
appeared before Congressional committees, as well as state and local 
water jurisdictions, as an expert on Madera County water rights. His 
honesty, integrity and knowledge in representing agriculture in the 
county and the Central San Joaquin Valley will continue to benefit 
future farming generations for years to come.
  Outside of the farm, Mr. Deniz has served on the board of the Madera 
Irrigation District for over 20 years, and on the boards of the Friant 
Water Users Authority and the Association of California Water Agencies. 
He also served on the board and was chairperson of LAID-CWD Power 
Authority. Mr. Deniz has been a member of the Madera County Farm Bureau 
and Western Growers for 25 years, and the Almond Tree Huller and the 
California Association of Wine Growers for 15 years. He is the co-owner 
of Madera Pumps, Inc. Mr. Deniz also serves on the Saint Joachim's 
School Board. For his service, Mr. Deniz has been recognized by the 
Future Farmers of America, and has received the ``Recognition of 
Service'' award from the Madera Irrigation District and the Association 
of California Water Agencies.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Johnny Deniz 
on being named the Made Chamber of Commerce 2010 Senior Farmer of the 
Year. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Mr. Deniz many years 
of continued success.

                          ____________________