[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 108 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MILENDA G. MEDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 19, 2011

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge and congratulate 
Madera resident Milenda G. Meders, or Millie as she is known, upon 
being named ``2011 Senior Farmer of the Year'' by the Madera Chamber of 
Commerce. This award is a tribute to Milenda's professional 
accomplishments in the farming industry, as well as her dedicated 
service and leadership in many Central Valley agriculture and farming 
community organizations.
  Milenda was born on August 8, 1935. She and her twin brother, 
Michael, were raised on a Chowchilla dairy farm founded by her parents, 
Carl and Gayle Gaumnitz, in the 1920's. Milenda graduated from 
Chowchilla Union High School in 1953, and went on to attend California 
State University Fresno, where she graduated in 1957 with a Bachelor of 
Science in Animal Science with minors in biology and journalism. After 
earning her degree, Milenda worked in the Sales and Ag Departments at 
KMJ Radio in Fresno, and later was a writer and producer of Nelson Crow 
Publications Western Dairy Journal. In 1965, Milenda married her 
husband, Lieutenant John Q. Meders, a retired U.S. Navy carrier pilot 
and 2nd generation cattle rancher. Together, she and her husband have 
farmed field row crops, almonds, and raised cattle.
  Over the past 51 years, Milenda's contribution to the farming 
community reached beyond her professional accomplishments. Milenda 
served on the board of the Chowchilla Fair for 16 years, and was the 
Chowchilla Fair Livestock Superintendent for 20 years. She also served 
as Director of the Madera County Cattleman's Association for 12 years; 
Director of the Chowchilla Water District; and has volunteered her time 
and agricultural expertise as a member of the Ag Advisory Committee at 
Chowchilla High School. Currently, she is the Director and CFO of 
``Preserve Our Heritage,'' and a member of the University of 
California, Davis Agricultural Issues Advisory Board. Her contributions 
to these organizations and the Madera County farming community have 
been honored with several prestigious awards. In 2006, Milenda was a 
recipient of the California Women for Agriculture and California State 
University Fresno Ag One Foundation ``Common Threads Award'', an award 
given to 5 women in Central Valley agriculture for volunteering their 
time, energy and resources to benefit the community. In 2007, Milenda 
and her husband John received the Madera County ``Cattleman of the 
Year'' award.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in commending Milenda G. Meders for her 
hard work and dedicated community service in the Central Valley farming 
industry, and congratulating her upon receiving the Madera Chamber of 
Commerce ``Senior Farmer of the Year Award.''

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