[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 176 (Thursday, December 12, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1854]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF EARL P. WILLIAMS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 12, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Earl P. 
Williams as he is honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the 
California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations (CCGGA). Earl is the 
first individual to ever receive the Lifetime Achievement Award. His 
decades of service and dedication to cotton ginners and growers around 
California and the entire nation make him very deserving of this 
recognition. I have also worked with him personally over the years and 
know him to be one of the leaders of American agriculture.
  Since 1997, Earl has been the President and Chief Executive Officer 
of CCGGA. The associations represent California's cotton ginning and 
cotton growing industry in the legal, legislative, and regulatory 
arenas.
  Earl's passion for cotton farming began at a young age due to his 
family's background in the industry. He spent his childhood years in 
Arkansas, and in 1958, his family moved to Buttonwillow, California. 
After graduating from high school in Shafter, California, Earl went on 
to Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo where he received his Bachelor of Science 
Degree in Crop Production. His background in cotton growing and 
technical understanding of crop production prepared him well to serve 
at CCGGA. From day one, Earl has understood the importance of hard 
work, and he knows what it takes to produce quality crops.
  Earl was one of fifteen charter members of the California Cotton 
Ginners Association board of directors from 1972 to 1980. He is the 
past chairman of the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Crop Science 
Department's Advisory Council; a past board member of the Agricultural 
Energy Consumers Association; and a past board member of the California 
Agricultural Education Foundation which oversees the California Ag 
Leadership Program. Earl is a founding member and past Chairman of the 
Agricultural President's Council. He is also an advisor to the National 
Cotton Council of America, the American Cotton Producers, and the 
National Cotton Ginners Association. Earl serves on the board of 
directors of Supima, and he is on the Western Agricultural Processors 
Association's board of directors. Earl's wealth of knowledge coupled 
with his ability to get things done make him a great leader for the 
cotton farming community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Mr. Earl 
P. Williams for the contributions he has made to the cotton industry. 
He serves as a pillar of the agriculture community, and I thank him for 
his hard work and devotion to maintaining California's valuable 
agricultural strength.

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