[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 112 (Thursday, July 7, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E697]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING AL WAGNER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, July 7, 2022

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Al 
Wagner who is Napa County Farm Bureau's 2022 Agriculturist of the Year.
  Born in Queens, New York, and raised in Connecticut, Mr. Wagner grew 
up helping his grandparents on their family farm. He attended both the 
Universal Technical Institute for Automotives and Diesel Mechanics in 
Phoenix, Arizona, and the University of Arizona. Throughout his life, 
Mr. Wagner has worked as a ranch manager, an auctioneer, a wrangler, 
and a volunteer firefighter.
  In 2015, he became the Vice President of Vineyards for Foley Family 
Wines. Later, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Foley Family 
Farms. Mr. Wagner oversees 61 properties and over 200 employees.
  Mr. Wagner is a staunch advocate for sustainable farming practices. 
He has received awards for his work in the Salinas Resource 
Conservation District and served as a member of the Napa Sustainable 
Winegrowing Group for years. Mr. Wagner served as the director of the 
Napa Valley Expo Board for nine years, during which he pushed the board 
to approve the use of Merlot Hall as a winter homeless shelter. He 
worked closely with the Napa County Health and Human Services to ensure 
the proposal was approved. Mr. Wagner was also instrumental in bringing 
the BottleRock Napa Valley festival to Napa County.
  A loving husband, father, and grandfather, Mr. Wagner now lives in 
Sutter County with his family on a small farm. He still makes the 
commute to Napa and Sonoma counties several times a week to oversee his 
vineyards.
  Madam Speaker, there is no doubt that Al Wagner is an exemplary 
member of our community. Therefore, it is fitting and proper that we 
honor him here today.

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