[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24267]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING HARRIS FARMS

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2008

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Harris Farms 
upon being honored with the 2008 Baker, Peterson and Franklin Ag 
Business Award. Harris Farms was honored at a luncheon November 5, 2008 
held at the Radisson Conference Center in Fresno, CA.
  Harris Farms was founded in 1937 by Jack and Teresa Harris on 320 
acres of prime land in the central California's San Joaquin Valley. 
Over the past 70 years, Harris Farms has grown to cover thousands of 
acres and has become one of the most vertically integrated, diversified 
and largest agribusinesses in the U.S. Harris Farms has grown to 
include Harris Ranch Beef Company, Harris Feeding Company, Harris 
Fresh, Harris Ranch Restaurant, Harris Farms-Thoroughbred, Harris Ranch 
Inn and Harris Ranch Online Country Store.
  Today, under the direction of John and Carole Harris, the operation 
produces 33 crops including everything from carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, 
garlic, onions, citrus, nuts and grapes. Harris Ranch Beef and Harris 
Feeding companies have earned a reputation as two of the largest and 
most innovative firms in the industry, pioneering the development of 
branded beef and value-added beef products. Their thoroughbred division 
breeds, trains and races thoroughbred horses at tracks across the 
county. The Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant serves 2,000 guests per day 
and showcases their beef products and produce. Harris Farms is one of 
the largest employers in the Coalinga area with 1,500 hundred 
employees.
  Harris Farms received the 2002 Fresno Bee Excellence in Business 
Award. John Harris has been recognized by his peers with State Fair 
Agriculturist of the Year, Livestock Man of the Year and Cattle 
Businessman of the Year. He serves on the California Horseracing Board, 
Western Growers Board and is past president of the American Cattleman 
Association and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association. He is 
past chair of the St. Agnes Hospital Foundation Board. He has also 
served on the University of California, Davis Foundation, Alumni Boards 
and the University of California President's Agriculture Advisory 
Board. Carole Harris is a member of La Feliz Children's Hospital Guild 
and past member of the Fresno County Historical Society Board. Mr. and 
Mrs. Harris are involved with countless organizations and annually 
award scholarships to children of employees.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Harris Farms 
upon being honored with the 2008 Baker, Peterson and Franklin Ag 
Business Award. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Harris 
Farms many years of continued success.

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