[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 165 (Thursday, November 17, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1508]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TEXAS AGRICULTURE MEMORIAL DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JOE BARTON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2016

  Mr. BARTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of the first annual 
Texas Agricultural Memorial Day, a day we remember the lives lost and 
the sacrifices made by our state's farmers and ranchers as they provide 
food and clothing for Texas families. Texas Governor Greg Abbott 
designated November 21st as Texas Agriculture Memorial Day, which will 
be observed annually. The inaugural ceremony will be held on November 
21, 2016 in the Auditorium of the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas.
   Every year, there will be a nomination and application process to 
add names of honorees to the memorial for three categories--memorial, 
honor and memorial service. The memorial list is for those who have 
lost their life while engaged in agricultural-related pursuits. The 
honor list is for those who have had a severely debilitating accident 
while engaged in agricultural-related pursuits. The memorial service 
list is for those who lost their life in a non-agricultural accident 
and had an active role in an agricultural operation.
   John Paul and Heather Dineen from Waxahachie, Texas envisioned the 
annual Texas Agricultural Memorial Day and organized the inaugural 
ceremony. Ten years ago, the Dineen family lost their five-year-old 
son, Johnny, in an agriculture accident. They are committed to sharing 
their story and advocating for safety awareness and education. Working 
alongside Governor Abbott and the Texas Farm Bureau, their hard work 
and vision culminated in the creation of the Texas Agriculture Memorial 
Day.

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