[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 198 (Tuesday, November 25, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1125]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ROBERTO JUAREZ

                                  _____
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 25, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Roberto Juarez, an esteemed member of our community whose dedication to 
excellence in viticulture, leadership, lifelong learning, and service 
embodies the very best of our Napa Valley agricultural community. Mr. 
Juarez's contributions have earned him the distinction of being named 
the Farmworker Foundation's first Napa Valley Farmworker of the Year.
  Mr. Juarez was born in El Zanguarro, a small town in Irapuato, 
Guanajuato, Mexico, where agriculture was a way of life. As a child, he 
helped his family tend a garden of broccoli, squash, cilantro, and 
radishes, and joined a local youth agriculture group. By the age of 10, 
Mr. Juarez was already working to help support his family. Seeking new 
opportunities, Mr. Juarez came to our Napa area, where he joined 
relatives who had settled in the region and began working as a 
landscaper at Moulds Family Vineyard. When the vineyard needed 
additional help, he transitioned to vineyard work, eager to learn about 
grape growing despite having no formal training in viticulture.
  His strong work ethic and leadership quickly set Mr. Juarez apart 
from his peers. Within his first year, Mr. Juarez was promoted to 
vineyard manager, a position he has now held for nearly 18 years. He 
has earned deep respect from colleagues and winemakers for his 
foresight, communication, and dedication to quality. During harvest 
season, Mr. Juarez works closely with winemakers and viticulturists to 
anticipate challenges and ensure the highest standards of production. 
Leading by example, Mr. Juarez trains full-time staff and seasonal 
crews, working alongside them until they have mastered each task. Steve 
and Betsy Moulds, who recognized his potential early on, have supported 
his continued professional growth and education. Beyond his 
professional role, he mentors others by sharing his knowledge and 
experience.
  A lifelong learner, Mr. Juarez recognized that mastering English 
would be essential for professional growth. He set a personal goal to 
become fluent within 5 years and achieved it through determination and 
sacrifice. Balancing two jobs and family responsibilities, he attended 
multiple classes through the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and 
adult education programs, often going straight from work to class 
without stopping for meals. He became proficient in reading, writing, 
and speaking English, and later studied computer programs including 
Word and Excel to create schedules, reports, and track vineyard 
priorities. Today, he communicates with clients and vendors entirely in 
English, a testament to his commitment to self-improvement.
  Mr. Juarez has also become an advocate for others. After completing 
training through the Napa Valley Grapegrowers Association and the Bay 
Area Air Quality Management District, he mastered the clean burn method 
for controlled fires and began teaching it to other vineyard workers 
and environmental managers in both English and Spanish. He serves on 
the Education Committee for the Farmworker Foundation, participates in 
CULTIVAR, and has contributed to Napa Green.
  Beyond his professional life, Mr. Juarez has been married to his wife 
for 24 years. They are the proud parents of two children, ages 
seventeen and fifteen, who attend Vintage High School. Their son enjoys 
cooking and agriculture, while their daughter participates in color 
guard and volunteers with Aim High's after-school programs. Mr. Juarez 
encourages his children to follow the same values of hard work and 
perseverance that have guided his own life. He and his wife also 
regularly volunteer at school events, carnivals, races, and food 
fundraisers, and support local 4-H and FFA programs.
  Mr. Speaker, through his leadership, pursuit of education, and 
commitment to service, Roberto Juarez has made a lasting impact on Napa 
Valley's agricultural community. His story reflects the hard work, 
humility, and excellence that define the people who make our region 
thrive. It is fitting and proper that we honor him here today as the 
first recipient of Farmworker Foundation's Napa Valley Farmworker of 
the Year Award.