[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 68 (Thursday, April 25, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING KEVIN BARR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 25, 2019

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my 
colleague Congressman Jared Huffman to recognize Kevin Barr as the 
recipient of the 2019 Viticulture Award of Excellence. This award 
recognizes grape growers who have made significant contributions to our 
Sonoma County wine community and Sonoma County overall.
  Mr. Barr attended the University of California, Davis where he earned 
a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Management with a specialization 
in Viticulture and has since been committed to sustainability and 
conservation. Mr. Barr started his company, Redwood Empire Vineyard 
Management (REVM), in 1983, which sustainably develops farms and other 
properties. Mr. Barr is committed to sustainable farming and 
conservation. REVM was the first vineyard management company to be 
certified sustainable in California and has 22 clients that have been 
certified by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
  Mr. Barr has been an active and involved community member since he 
first moved to Sonoma County in 1979. He is a current board member and 
past chairman of the Sonoma County Winegrape Commission Board. His 
expertise played no small role in the Commission certifying 100 percent 
of Sonoma County's vineyards as sustainable by 2019. Mr. Barr is also 
the current chairman of the Santa Rosa Junior College Viticulture 
Advisory Board and the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation Board.
  The 2019 Viticulture Award of Excellence is not the first time Mr. 
Barr has been recognized for his contributions and commitment to our 
community. He received the Leadership in Agriculture Award from the 
Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce in 2015, the Award of Excellence for 
Sustainability in Farming in 2016, and the Nick Frey Community 
Contribution Award in 2018. Despite his well-deserved accolades, Mr. 
Barr has remained humble and dedicated to sustainable farming and our 
community.
  Madam Speaker, Kevin Barr is a generous person who works hard to keep 
our land beautiful for generations to come and is committed to our 
community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we honor him here 
today.

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