[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 117 (Thursday, July 24, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1225]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING RICH SALVESTRIN

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 24, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Rich 
Salvestrin, the recipient of the Napa County Farm Bureau's 2014 
Agriculturist of the Year Award. Mr. Salvestrin has been, and continues 
to be, a tireless advocate and fierce supporter of agriculture in the 
Napa Valley. It is therefore appropriate that we recognize and thank 
Mr. Salvestrin today for his unwavering support and relentless efforts 
to preserve and promote agriculture in Napa County.
  Mr. Salvestrin was born and grew up in St. Helena, California. His 
education in agriculture began at an early age. By the time he was ten, 
he was helping his father and grandfather prune vines on the family 
vineyard. Mr. Salvestrin went on to attend California State University, 
Fresno, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Viticulture. After 
completing his degree, Mr. Salvestrin returned to his family's 
vineyard, where he applied his education and experience to expand the 
family business from a grape growing operation to include winemaking.
  Mr. Salvestrin has worked with the Napa County Farm Bureau for nearly 
three decades to advance agriculture in the Napa Valley. Soon after 
joining the Bureau in 1985, Rich joined the Bureau's Young Farmer and 
Rancher Program, where he completed the Ag Leadership program in the 
early 1990s. Rich began serving on the Napa County Farm Bureau's Board 
of Directors in 1994 and notably, he served as the president of the 
Napa County Farm Bureau from 1999-2001.
  Rich has been a leader in protecting the Napa Valley's farmland and 
watersheds. He was a crucial supporter of the Napa Green/Fish Friendly 
Farming Program. He also serves as a board member on the Napa County 
Winegrape Pest & Disease Control District. And as a member of the 
Glassy Winged Sharpshooter Action Team, he helped to control an 
invasive species that threatened the region's livelihood.
  Mr. Speaker, Rich Salvestrin's leadership in the wine industry and 
viticultural preservation is greatly appreciated by the entire Napa 
community and we wish him further success in an already distinguished 
career.

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