[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 63 (Monday, April 17, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E311-E312]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING PAUL PARREIRA, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN S. DUARTE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 17, 2023

  Mr. DUARTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Parreira, Sr.'s 
lifelong service to Merced County and the great state of California. 
Merced County is a rich agricultural region, providing the world 
nutritious, healthy, and safe food. We have celebrated our agricultural 
heritage, our youth, education, and region since 1890, first as the 
Miller-Lux Picnic; with our celebrations evolving into the Merced 
County Spring Fair.
  Thanks to the tireless work of the Merced County Spring Fair's Board 
of Directors and volunteers, the Fair has seen countless years of 
success. I would like to honor one specific volunteer, Paul Parreira, 
Sr.
  Mr. Parreira has worked tirelessly as a volunteer for many years, 
serving wherever needed and sharing his time, talent, and treasure. His 
talents were noted by past District 5 Country Supervisor, Jerry 
O'Banion, who in 1994 appointed Mr. Parreira to serve on the Merced 
County Spring Fair Board of Directors.
  From 1994 to 2019, Mr. Parreira served on the Merced County Spring 
Fair Board of Directors in all capacities, including thrice as Board 
President. During Mr. Parreira's tenure, the Spring Fair doubled 
attendance revenue, grew attendance by 100 percent, and grew youth age 
participation by 250 percent.
  In tandem with other community leaders, Mr. Parreira founded the 
Heritage Foundation, an agricultural scholarship program, as well as 
``Because We Care,'' an organization providing anonymous financial 
support to 4-H and FFA youth.
  A graduate of the California Agriculture Leadership Program, Mr. 
Parreira has remained a steadfast leader in California's agriculture 
industry. Mr. Parreira's roles include Board Member of the California 
Agriculture Leadership Foundation, Vice Chair of the California 
Department of Food and Agriculture Feed Inspection Advisory Board, Vice 
Chair of the Almond Board of California's Biomass Working Group, Chair 
of the Almond Alliance of California's Co-Products Committee, and 
President of the Exchange Contractors Political Action Committee.
  Thanks to Mr. Parreira's dedication to California's agriculture 
community, he has been named Grand Marshall of the 2023 Merced County 
Spring Fair.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in recognizing Paul Parreira, Sr.'s lifelong 
service to the Merced County Spring Fair, his community involvement, 
leadership, commitment to youth and education, as well as Agriculture 
advocacy.

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