[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 22 (Monday, February 3, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE CAREER OF TOM NASSIF UPON HIS RETIREMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 3, 2020

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Tom 
Nassif, as his service as President and CEO of Western Growers comes to 
an end.
  The career of Tom Nassif has been defined by strong consistent 
advocacy for growers of produce in the western United States. The 
national discourse on immigration, trade, and water policy has been 
distinctly shaped by his work for more than four decades.
  Tom Nassif received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business 
Administration from California State University, Los Angeles and his 
Juris Doctorate from California Western University, School of Law in 
San Diego, California.
  Nassif has set himself apart by serving in a multitude of prestigious 
positions. He was a labor attorney for the agricultural industry, and 
most notably, one of the first attorneys to try a case before the 
Agricultural Labor Relations Board. In President Ronald Reagan's 
administration, he was appointed Deputy and Acting Chief of Protocol 
for the White House. In 1983, he was promoted to Deputy Assistant 
Secretary of State for Near East and South Asian affairs. After two 
years, President Reagan appointed him to be his ambassador to the 
Kingdom of Morocco. After his term, he moved on to work as chairman of 
Gulf Interstate Engineering in Houston. Next, he became managing 
partner of Aequitas International Consulting, an international business 
and political consulting company.
  In February of 2002, Nassif became President and CEO of Western 
Growers. In 2013, he utilized his legal skills to help produce an 
immigration bill that passed in the Senate. Not only that, under his 
leadership, he assisted with the first time specialty crops received 
recognition in federal policy, with the passage of Specialty Crop 
Competitiveness Act as part of an agriculture appropriations bill. He 
also was a huge contributor for the specialty crop provisions in the 
Farm Bill. Nassif was named the Western Growers' 2019 Award of Honor in 
recognition of his unique approach and impact on the produce industry. 
This is the highest recognition of achievement in the industry.
  Tom Nassif has left his mark by advocating for transparency and 
quality service. Nassif's affinity for protecting farms has directly 
resulted in laws and programs that will carry on his legacy in the 
industry. He has commitment to creating programs to address areas like 
food safety and technology that are state of the art.
  Now, Nassif serves on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee in 
Washington, D.C. and is one of the three national co-chairs for the 
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
service of Mr. Tom Nassif and wish him the best in his well-deserved 
retirement.

                          ____________________