[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 154 (Monday, September 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  IN RECOGNITION OF MR. DAVID DeSILVA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 17, 2018

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend Mr. David DeSilva 
on being inducted into the California Agricultural Teachers Association 
Hall of Fame.
  David DeSilva was born and raised in California's Central Valley. His 
passion for teaching agriculture was developed from a young age. 
Growing up on a dairy farm, David's parents instilled in him a deep 
appreciation for agriculture. He worked alongside them on the farm and 
was heavily involved in the Future Farmers of America organization. 
After graduating from California Polytechnic University, San Luis 
Obispo, Mr. DeSilva began his career in education at Hanford High 
School.
  After five-years at Hanford High School, Mr. DeSilva continued his 
career at College of the Sequoias in Visalia, California. He would 
remain in this position for thirty-years, retiring in 2014. Mr. 
DeSilva's tenure at College of the Sequoias was impressive and 
reflective of his dedication to agriculture and his students. As the 
agriculture division chair at the college, he was well respected by his 
peers and viewed as a leader on agriculture issues. Many of his former 
students have become agricultural teachers, industry leaders, and 
business owners.
  Mr. DeSilva's impact extended far beyond the classroom. Locally, he 
created and implemented the California Crop Center at the World Ag Expo 
in Tulare, California. It is known as a hub of activity for a wide 
variety of the top crops grown in the state. He was also responsible 
for the development of College for Kids, a summer agriculture program 
for children. Mr. DeSilva's influence eventually led to international 
opportunities. He promoted agriculture at colleges in the Ukraine, 
Russia, and even Haiti.
  Whether locally or internationally, Mr. DeSilva's goal remained the 
same: working with young students and increasing the community's 
knowledge about agriculture. Even in retirement, he remains actively 
involved with the Knights of Columbus organization and local Future 
Farmers of America chapters. Throughout Mr. DeSilva's childhood, nearly 
four-decade career, and into retirement, agriculture education has been 
a defining purpose for his life.
  To be inducted into the California Agricultural Teachers Association 
Hall of Fame, an individual must be a retired agriculture educator with 
proven dedication for vocational agriculture, agriculture education, 
and the Future Farmers of America organization. Mr. DeSilva has 
consistently demonstrated his dedication to this field throughout his 
life and is unequivocally deserving of this honor.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in commending Mr. David DeSilva on his 
dedicated service to the Central Valley and on being inducted into the 
California Agricultural Teachers Association Hall of Fame.

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