[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 6 (Friday, January 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E45]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING ERNEST BEDROSIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, January 10, 2014

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Mr. 
Ernest Bedrosian, who passed away on January 1, 2014 at the age of 80. 
Ernest was a leading raisin grower and packer in California's San 
Joaquin Valley and played an instrumental role in the development of 
the raisin industry in the United States and abroad.
  Ernest was born in Parlier, California and attended California State 
University, Fresno, where he graduated with high honors receiving a 
bachelor's degree in Agriculture. Upon graduation in 1955, Ernest 
joined the United States Army and was a food specialist stationed in 
New York. In 1958 Ernest moved back to the San Joaquin Valley and 
started working on his family's raisin and wine vineyard. Shortly 
after, he began serving on various raisin boards and committees. Ernest 
established the Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA) in 1966 and served 
as the first acting President. The efforts of the RBA organized raisin 
growers, stabilized the national raisin market, and expanded domestic 
and international demand for raisins.
  Ernest and his brothers opened the National Raisin Company in 1969 
and developed the ``Champion'' brand for raisins and other dried 
fruits. Today the Champion brand is the largest independent raisin, 
prune, and dried fruit operation in the world and the National Raisin 
Company provides hundreds of jobs to Central Valley residents.
  Ernest served as an elder at his Church, the First Armenian 
Presbyterian Church of Fresno, and was also a member of the church's 
various building committees. Ernest will be remembered as not only a 
great businessman, but also as a devoted family man with a strong faith 
and an eagerness to help his community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me in paying tribute to the life and service of Mr. Ernest 
Bedrosian.

                          ____________________