[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 75 (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E432-E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING IAN ANDERSON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Wednesday, May 1, 2024

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ian 
Anderson, whom I have named the 2024 Climate Crisis Champion for Solano 
County because of the important work he has done to combat the climate 
crisis by working to preserve agriculture and create policies which 
protect agricultural land for future generations in California's 4th 
Congressional District.
  Mr. Anderson was born in Berkeley, California. He has a wife, 
Margaret, two children, and three grandchildren. He received his 
bachelor's degree in agricultural business from Cal Poly, San Luis 
Obispo.
  Mr. Anderson is a champion for maintaining our local agricultural 
land and he has worked to commemorate the history of the Montezuma 
Hills farming community. He honors it by creating farm structures, 
sculptures, garden hardscape and home improvements using remnants of 
the past that others might discard. Further, he also organizes the 
annual fall festival, the ``Pumpkin Patch'' in this area, in 
conjunction with the Western Railway Museum. One of the many goals of 
this festival has been to get regional urban families out into the 
countryside to see first-hand the beauty of the farm and ranch lands. 
He and his wife graciously allow the festival to be held on their land. 
Mr. Anderson's dedication to ensuring that everyone understands the 
value and beauty of agricultural lands is incredible.
  His leadership in this area also extends to his membership in many 
organizations that do meaningful work to preserve agricultural land and 
combat the climate crisis. He has a 25-year membership with the Solano 
Land Trust, which does important work to preserve wild and agricultural 
land in our community. He served as President for three years, and as 
the chair of its Agricultural Conservation committee for 10 years. He 
currently serves on the Trust's Ag Strategy Committee. His 10-year 
association with the Montezuma Fireman's Association included serving 
as the President of

[[Page E433]]

Montezuma Fire Commission for two years. He also spent a decade as a 
member of the Solano County Agricultural Advisory committee and 
participated in Solano County's General Plan Update committee from 2006 
to 2008. Lastly, he was a founding member of the Solano County Orderly 
Growth committee. Mr. Anderson's lifelong commitment to advocating on 
behalf of preserving land for future generations is why he is so 
deserving of this honor.
  His life-long membership in various farm and agricultural 
organizations shows his understanding of the connection between 
agriculture and climate advocacy. He has been a member of the Solano 
County Farm Bureau for 45 years, a member of the California Wool 
Growers Association for 40 years, a member of the California Wheat 
Growers Association for 30 years, and of the California Grain 
Foundation for 12 years. His sustained dedication to conservation 
through his work with these organizations is admirable.
  Mr. Speaker, it is evident that Ian Anderson is a leader dedicated to 
preserving agricultural land for future generations as well as 
combatting the climate crisis. Therefore, it is fitting that we honor 
him here today as Solano County's 2024 Climate Crisis Champion.

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