[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E337]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF THOMAS A. RIDER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2013

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas A. Rider for his 
continued dedication to the agricultural industries of Santa Cruz 
County and the Pajaro Valley. Tom is a thoughtful, soft-spoken, 
intelligent leader and his contributions have translated to increased 
viability of these crucial industries throughout the Central Coast. It 
is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Thomas A. Rider as the 2013 Al 
Smith Friend of Agriculture award winner.
   Tom is part of the fifth generation of his family in the Pajaro 
Valley. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1966 and went on 
in 1971 to obtain his degree from Oregon State University.
   In the early to mid 1980s, Tom helped this family's business, H.A. 
Rider & Sons Bottles, make the successful transition from producing 
apple juice and cider to being a co-packer of flavored waters, brewed 
teas, energy drinks, and lemonades.
   Tom has served on the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Legislative 
Committee, in addition to chairing the Pajaro Valley Water Management 
Agency.
   Later in his career, Tom served as the 4th Supervisorial District 
Representative for the Genetic Engineering Subcommittee for Santa Cruz 
County Health Services Agency, HAS. Additionally, Tom represented the 
Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau on the Transportation Funding Task Force, 
which is comprised of over 90 members representing business, 
neighborhood, environmental, health, and community-based organizations. 
Tom has also been a champion of the Basin Management Plan Committee for 
the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, PVWMA.
   Committed to improving the agricultural industry, Tom is currently a 
board member for the Central Coast Agricultural Task Force, CCATF and a 
member of the Legislative Committee for the Santa Cruz County Farm 
Bureau.
   Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that agricultural industries of Santa 
Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley will continue to thrive with Tom's 
devotion.