[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 30251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING NAT DIBUDUO AS THE 2007 AGRICULTURIST OF THE YEAR

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                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 6, 2007

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Mr. Nat 
DiBuduo, President of Allied Grape Growers in Fresno, for receiving the 
2007 Agriculturist of the Year Award from the Greater Fresno Area 
Chamber of Commerce. His service and commitment to various agricultural 
organizations is worthy of respect and admiration. Some of these 
include The Big Fresno Fair, Fresno City Planning Commission, United 
Cerebral Palsy, the Bulldog Foundation at Fresno State, and the 
University's Viticulture and Enology Industry Advisory Board.
  A native of California's San Joaquin Valley, Nat attended California 
State University, Fresno where he earned a B.S. in Plant Science/
Viticulture and a minor in Business. Nat is also a graduate of the 
California Ag Leadership Program. Over thirty years ago his family 
pioneered the wine grape industry in California's San Joaquin Valley.
  Nat has been able to glean valuable experience in wine grape 
production and processing through his involvement with his family's 
local winery. Nat holds a Certified Pest Control Advisor's license as 
well as a Department of Real Estate sales license. Nat's wide range of 
work experience has also contributed to his extensive knowledge in the 
agricultural field. One of his previous positions involved overseeing 
the farm management of 24,000 acres of winegrapes, nuts, and 
vegetables. He holds extensive exposure to regional wine growing in the 
Central San Joaquin Valley, and throughout other wine producing regions 
of the state.
  Nat's proficiency is virtually unmatched. He was hired in May of 2000 
to replace the outgoing president of Allied Grape Growers of Fresno, an 
organization which represents 500 grape growing members throughout the 
state of California. Together they annually produce 200,000 to 250,000 
tons of wine grapes.
  The leadership and commitment Mr. DiBuduo has shown in Fresno County, 
where he and his wife Marilyn live, has never wavered. He personifies a 
man of great principle and integrity. Nat is a role model for all of 
us, especially our Valley's upcoming generation of agricultural 
professionals. It is with great pride that I congratulate him for 
receiving this distinguished award and I wish him continued success in 
his future endeavors.

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