[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 9 (Wednesday, January 16, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E53]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING JOEL NELSEN FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE CENTRAL VALLEY

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 16, 2019

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
achievements of Mr. Joel Nelsen, the recipient of the 2018 
Distinguished Citizen Award from the Sequoia Council of the Boy Scouts 
of America. Joel is being honored for his many years outstanding civic 
service to the community and agriculture industry. Joel has exemplified 
what it means to be a leader in the community through his involvement 
and dedication to the Central Valley.
  Joel was born in San Diego, California. He served four years in the 
United States Navy before graduating from California State University, 
Fullerton, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. Joel 
began his career in agriculture with the Fresh Produce Council in Los 
Angeles. He eventually was recruited to work in the Central Valley's 
agriculture industry, joining California Citrus Mutual as Executive 
Officer in 1982. For over 30 years, Joel has been on the forefront of 
various issues affecting the produce, citrus, and agriculture 
industries. As a result, he was appointed President of California 
Citrus Mutual, overseeing association's 2,200 members.
  Joel has demonstrated a significant level of involvement in the 
community through his career. He is Vice-Chair of the United States 
Citrus Science Council. Joel has also been appointed to four terms on 
USDA's Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade, and in 2015 
he was selected by his colleagues to be chairman of the committee. In 
addition, Joel is the founding Chairman for the Agri-Business 
Presidents' Council, a member of the University of California 
President's Advisory Commission on Agriculture and Natural Resources 
and serves on the Executive Committee for the Citrus Health Response 
Program.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that my colleagues in the U.S. House of 
Representatives join me in recognizing Mr. Joel Nelsen, recipient of 
the Distinguished Citizen Award from the Sequoia Council of the Boy 
Scouts of America. I ask that you join me in wishing Joel and his 
family continued success and prosperity.

                          ____________________