[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 102 (Thursday, June 15, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E827]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF THE BORBA FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 15, 2017

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Borba 
family's contribution to the agriculture industry of California and 
their strong presence in California's Central Valley for over one 
hundred years.
  The Borba family's legacy began when Ms. Anna Borba emigrated from 
the Azores, Portugal to the United States in the late 1800's. Anna's 
son, A.J. Borba, moved to California's Central Valley in the early 
1900's to begin the family's agriculture venture, and established a 
dairy in Riverdale, California. In the 1940's, A.J. and his sons, Ross, 
Sr., and Darril, began focusing on a row cop operation with the goal of 
introducing cotton to the Central Valley. In 1958, the brothers 
officially began Borba Brothers Farms on the west side of Fresno 
County.
  In 1942, Ross, Sr. married Justina ``Tina'' Urrizola and continued to 
farm in Riverdale while raising their two sons, Ross, Jr. and Mark, and 
their daughter, Dwayne. In 1976, Ross, Jr. and Mark acquired the family 
business after their father and uncle retired. In their retirement, 
Ross, Sr. and Tina established the Rancho Vista del Rio on San Joaquin 
River near Fresno. Currently, Rancho Vista del Rio serves as the home 
and horse ranch of Mark and his wife, Peggy Borba, and is often used as 
a venue for Fresno County community events.
  Today, the fifth generation of Borbas is represented by Mark and 
Peggy's son, Derek. Derek and his wife, Jennifer, operate the farming 
and custom farm management business. As custom farm operators, they 
perform machine operations on partnered farms in Westlands Water 
District. Having survived years of drought, the farming operation 
encompasses 9,000 acres of almonds, tomatoes, garlic, melons, lettuce, 
wheat, and Pima cotton on the Valley's west side.
  The Borba family has significantly contributed to the Central 
Valley's agriculture industry through philanthropy, financial support, 
and leadership of organizations including the California Agriculture 
Leadership Foundation, Sequoia Council Boy Scouts, Valley Teen Ranch, 
and Ag One. The family has also made a lasting impression on many in 
their community. The Borba family understands the incredible importance 
of education, and has continuously supported Riverdale Unified School 
District, San Joaquin College of Law, and Pacific Legal Foundation. 
Members ofthe Borba family have volunteered and provided support to 
their local health and wellness organizations and support services 
including Community Medical Center, Saint Agnes Medical Center, Valley 
Children's Hospital, and the Marjaree Mason Center. In acknowledgment 
of his and his family's contributions and accomplishments, Mark Borba 
was awarded the U.C. Davis 1996 Award of Distinction. Mark was also 
influential in establishing the Ross Borba, Sr. Scholarship Endowment 
for agricultural college students. Additionally, Borba Farms, Inc. 
received the 2007 Baker, Peterson, and Franklin, CPA, LLP, Agricultural 
Business Award in recognition of its impact on the agricultural 
industry and Central San Joaquin Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Borba family for their contributions to the Central Valley and their 
presence in the agriculture industry for over five generations.

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