[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 24 (Thursday, February 12, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E208]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN KELLIHER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 12, 2015

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Temecula, California are exceptional. Temecula has been fortunate to 
have dynamic and dedicated community leaders who willingly and 
unselfishly give their time and talent and make their communities a 
better place to live and work. John Kelliher is one of such individual. 
On February 21, 2015, John will be honored at the Temecula Valley 
Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Gala where he will receive the 
Citizen of the Year award.
  Grapeline Wine Tours was founded and introduced in Temecula, 
California by John and his wife, Kim, in June of 2002. The company's 
reach now spans through Santa Barbara County and Paso Robles. Prior to 
their inception, Temecula did not offer many options regarding wine 
tour operators. Grapeline Wine Tours has now grown to become the 
largest wine tour operator in Southern and Central California, 
shuttling over 20,000 visitors through the beautiful vineyards of 
Temecula. John's Grapeline venture has become so successful, the 
business has announced their upcoming expansion to Northern California, 
encompassing wine regions in Sonoma.
  Over the past ten years, Temecula has now become even more of a 
destination for travel and tourism as over hundreds of thousands come 
to visit the region. Much of this can be accredited to promising 
businesses such as Grapeline Wine Tours that encourage fun-filled 
experiences in Southwest County.
  In the course of Grapeline Wine Tour's progression, John has won a 
variety of awards and accolades for its success. The business and its 
founders have won awards including the 2005 Sterling Business of the 
Year from the Temecula Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Hospitality 
Award and Tourism Professional of the Year Award from the Temecula 
Valley Convention & Visitors Bureau in 2013. With unmatched depth and 
experience, Grapeline Wine Tours is sure to be successful in their 
future endeavors throughout California.
  John Kelliher's tireless passion for the Southwest County has 
contributed immensely to the betterment of the community of Temecula, 
California. I am proud to call John a fellow community member, American 
and friend. I know that many community members are grateful for his 
service and salute him as he receives the Temecula Valley Chamber of 
Commerce Citizen of the Year Award.

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