[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1117-E1118]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING MS. SANDY ELLES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Sandy 
Elles, the 2016 recipient of the Napa County Farm Bureau Distinguished 
Service Award in honor of her service as the Executive Director for the 
past fifteen years.
  A native of Burlington, New Jersey Ms. Elles earned a Bachelor of 
Arts in Political Science from American University and a Bachelor of 
Arts in Urban Planning from Rutgers University. After moving west to 
California, Ms. Elles built a successful career as both a business 
leader and public servant.
  Ms. Elles worked with Blue & Gold Fleet in San Francisco from 1981 
until 2001, while also serving on the Cotati City Council from 1990 to 
1998. During that time, she received the prestigious American Planning 
Association award for Distinguished Leadership from an Elected 
Official, and the Sonoma County Conservation Council recognized Ms. 
Elles as the 1996 Environmentalist of the Year.
  After retiring from Blue & Gold Fleet, Ms. Elles served as Executive 
Director of the Napa County Farm Bureau from 2001 until June 2016, 
providing guidance to Napa Valley farmers. Under her direction, the 
Napa County Farm Bureau won the California Farm Bureau Federation 
Golden State Hall of Fame Award for the best County Farm Bureau in both 
2009 and 2010.
  Ms. Elles has also been a leader in many other community 
organizations, including the Napa Chamber of Commerce and Jack L. 
Davies Napa Valley Agricultural Land Preservation Fund. She was also an 
instrumental figure in launching ferry service to the San Francisco 
Giants downtown ballpark from 1998 to 2000.
  Mr. Speaker, Ms. Elles has led an impressive career in both business 
and public service and has dedicated her time and skills to

[[Page E1118]]

ensuring the success of our community's agriculture industry. 
Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor her here today.

                          ____________________