[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 195 (Tuesday, December 11, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO BENNETT ``BEN'' DRAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 11, 2018

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
Riverside County farming and water leader Bennett ``Ben'' Drake, who 
passed away on Wednesday, November 7, 2018. Ben served the people of 
Riverside County in many ways throughout his life and he will be deeply 
missed.
  Ben was born in Riverside, California on July 8, 1949, to Richard and 
Martha Drake. Ben was a graduate of Fresno State University and also a 
member of Class XII of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. 
Ben was a fifth generation farmer in Riverside County and a resident of 
Temecula since 1973. Ben founded Drake Enterprises, Inc., a farm 
management company 40 years ago. They manage 750 acres of avocados and 
450 acres of winegrapes in the Temecula Valley. Ben served as past 
President of the Temecula Valley Winegrape Growers Association and past 
Chairman of the California Association of Winegrape Growers.
  As a prominent farmer and water advocate, Ben played a significant 
role in the successful growth of the Temecula Valley Wine Country. In 
the 1990's, an outbreak of Pierce's Disease threatened to wipe out 
grape vineyards throughout the region and state. As I witnessed first-
hand, Ben's leadership during the crisis made a tremendous impact and 
resulted in a coordinated response from local, state and federal 
agencies that ultimately saved the region from devastation. Ben was 
elected to serve on the Rancho California Water District's Board of 
Directors in September, 2001, and faithfully served on the Board for 17 
years. For all of his many accomplishments Ben was named California 
Association of Winegrape Growers Leader of the Year 2013; Boy Scouts 
Distinguished Citizen of the Year 2014; Riverside County 4H All Star; 
and received the Robert M. Howie Award for Outstanding Service to 
Riverside Agriculture 2010.
  Ben is survived by his wife of 43 years, Sharon (Clark) Drake and his 
children Katie (Drake) and JD Harkey, Chase Drake, Kourtney Drake, Kara 
(Drake) and MacLain Atkinson. I want to extend my heartfelt condolences 
to the entire Drake family, his friends, and everyone who had the 
pleasure of knowing him. Although Ben may be gone, the many 
contributions he made in Riverside County will have a lasting impact.

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