[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E13-E14]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNIZING THE ATSMA FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2026

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Atsma Family, who 
have been named the 2025 Dairy Family of the Year by the Tulare Chamber 
of Commerce.
  The Atsma family's story is a remarkable example of hard work, 
perseverance, and dedication to agriculture. George Atsma's father 
initially immigrated from the Netherlands to Canada in 1953 at just 20 
years old. After meeting his wife and welcoming their first child, they 
moved his young family to Southern California. There, he worked for 
local dairymen and eventually entered the dairy business himself--
continuing the family tradition dating back to the 1600s.
  In 1994, George Atsma began his own dairy legacy when he started 
building his own herd in Tipton, California. A few years later, he 
purchased property just east of Tulare, and by 2007 had completed 
renovations and moved his herd to the new site. Today, he operates both 
a successful dairy and a calf ranch with his wife, Tina, and their six 
children: Joshua, Danielle, Tavis, Annika, Georgiana, and Roman.
  In 2005, Mr. Atsma launched a custom calf raising business--another 
example of the family's commitment to innovation in dairy production. 
What began with 450 milking cows has

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grown to a herd of 1,550, including 1,400 milking cows. That kind of 
growth doesn't happen without a deep respect and knowledge of the land 
and livestock.
  This June, during the Annual Salute to Dairy and Dairy Princess 
Coronation hosted by the Tulare Chamber of Commerce, the Atsma Family 
was recognized for their leadership, stewardship, and contributions to 
both the dairy industry and our local community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Atsma Family on this well-deserved honor. Their work represents the 
very best of the Central Valley's agricultural heritage, and their 
impact will be felt for generations to come.

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