[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 280]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO BEN R. DRAKE, PRESIDENT OF THE TEMECULA VALLEY WINEGROWER'S 
                              ASSOCIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 2003

  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to an 
individual whose dedication and contributions to Southern California 
are exceptional. Southern California has been fortunate to have dynamic 
and dedicated community leaders who willingly and unselfishly give time 
and talent to making their communities a better place to live and work. 
Bob Drake is one of these individuals. On January 8, 2003, Ben will be 
stepping down as President of the Temecula Valley Winegrower's 
Association after a year of dedicated service.
  The Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association represents 17 wineries 
and 49 grower members in their efforts to promote the making and 
growing of quality wine and winegrapes in the Temecula Valley 
appellation located in Riverside County. During his year as president, 
Ben has shown exemplary leadership skills as he has guided the 
association through a period of dynamic growth, vital to the 
associations' representation and promotion as one of the world's 
premiere wine and winegrape producing regions.
  Ben has represented the association on critical community and 
political matters, such as land use, beautification efforts, state 
shipping restrictions and continuing issues dealing with Pierce's 
Disease and the glass-winger sharpshooter. He has worked diligently to 
keep open lines of communication with our membership, regional vintner 
and grower groups and elected officials.
  Ben has placed much of his energy and focus on enhancing the 
recognition of the region as one of quality through educating 
association members through monthly enology and viticulture seminars. 
He has made himself available for countless media interviews and 
community outreach programs. Because of his personal and intensive 
involvement with association fundraising activities, he is leaving the 
association in a position of strength and financial stability.
  Ben's diligent work at the Temecula Valley Winegrower's Association 
has contributed unmeasurably to the betterment of Riverside County. His 
involvement in the community makes me proud to call him a fellow 
community member, American and friend. I know that all of the residents 
of Riverside County are grateful for his service and salute him as his 
term comes to an end. I look forward to working with him in the future 
for the good of our community.

                          ____________________