[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING JOHN WILLIAMS

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                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 26, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor John 
Williams, whom I have named the 5th Congressional District's 2022 
Climate Crisis Champion from Napa County for his inspiring leadership 
in combatting the climate crisis currently gripping our communities.
  Born in Clymer, New York, Mr. Williams earned his bachelor's degree 
from Cornell University and his master's degree in Oenology from 
University of California, Davis. Mr. Williams founded Frog's Leap 
Winery over 40 years ago, working as a cellar hand at Stag's Leap 
Winery and Spring Mountain Winery to finance the first vintage of 
Frog's Leap wine.
  On top of his deep passion for making excellent wine, Mr. Williams 
has made Frog's Leap Winery a pioneer of organic viticulture practices 
by abstaining from chemical fertilizers and pesticides, reducing 
irrigation, and installing solar technology. In fact, he brought a 
solar installation to Frog's Leap before any other winery in Napa 
County, starting a climate-friendly trend in the industry.
  Mr. Williams participates in various community activities that work 
to combat climate change. He is a founding member of the Napa Valley 
Grapegrowers Environment and Climate Committee and also serves on the 
organization's Industry Issues Committee, which works to educate on 
climate-smart farming practices and setting measurable climate action 
goals for the wine industry. He was the 2020 Porto Protocols Speaker on 
Climate Change and the recipient of the coveted ``Susty'' award from 
the Ecological Farming Conference. Mr. Williams has also played a major 
role in the Napa Valley River Restoration project.
  Mr. Williams' family have only good things to say about his amazing 
climate work and environmental business practices. John and his wife 
Tori have been married for 12 years, and collectively are the proud 
parents of Rory, Kylor, Kelly and Owen and four grandchildren, Hal, 
Alma, Casey and Sophie.
  Madam Speaker, it is evident that John Williams has dedicated his 
life to combating the climate crisis in our communities. Therefore, it 
is fitting and proper that we honor him here today.

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