[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14930]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  RECOGNIZING THE RAWSON FAMILY AS THE 2012 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA 
                        OUTSTANDING FARM FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 21, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize the 
Rawson family for being selected as the Okaloosa County, Florida 
Outstanding Farm Family for 2012.
  Ten years ago, the Rawson family was in search of acreage for 
hunting. This search subsequently evolved into a successful family run 
tree farm with a fruit orchard and over one hundred and fifty new oak 
trees planted each year. Over the past ten years, the Rawson family has 
managed the land to grow trees and attract wildlife. They use their one 
hundred fifty acres to plant myriad trees, including loblolly and slash 
pine longleaf, sawtooth, bur, shumard, willow, swamp chestnut, cherry 
bark oak, and pecan trees. The family's fruit orchard with pears, 
muscadines, and many other fruits was a later addition to the 
preexisting varieties of plants.
  David and Pat Rawson have been married for thirty-six years, and they 
have three wonderful children, Paige, Suzanne, and Scott. They all 
assist in helping out with the farm, including tree planting, pruning, 
fertilizing, bush hogging, and weed management. It is David and Pat's 
plan to one day pass on the farm to their children to continue their 
farming legacy. The Rawson family truly embodies the cohesive nature 
and household unity that characterize our nation's family farmers.
  Outside of their farm, David works part-time as an oral surgeon, and 
Pat is a devoted homemaker. In addition, both find the time to be 
active members of the Northwest Florida community. David is a member of 
the Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Florida 
Dental Association, Escambia and Santa Rosa Dental Society, and 
Escambia Sertoma. Pat is a member of the Junior League of Pensacola and 
Gulf Breeze Hospital Auxiliary. They both worship and volunteer at the 
Dorcas Baptist Church, and their continued commitment to agriculture 
and wildlife is further displayed through their involvement with the 
Certified Tree Farmers of America, National Wild Turkey Federation, 
Forest Landowners Association, National Rifle Association, and Florida 
Farm Bureau. The Rawson's commitment to farm, family, faith, and 
community is certainly commendable, and they serve as an example to 
all.
  Mr. Speaker, our great nation was built by farmers and their 
families, and I take great pride in recognizing and paying tribute to 
the outstanding farm families located in Northwest Florida. This year 
we honor the Rawson family for their contributions to Okaloosa County 
and the farming community. On behalf of the United States Congress, I 
would like to offer my congratulations to the Rawson family for being 
awarded the title of Okaloosa County, Florida Outstanding Farm Family 
for 2012. My wife, Vicki and I extend our best wishes for their 
continued success.

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