[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 12385-12386]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING THE McLANEY FAMILY AS THE 2016 OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA, 
                        FARM FAMILY OF THE YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 12, 2016

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I 
rise to recognize the McLaney Family of Laurel Hill for being selected 
as the 2016 Okaloosa County, Florida, Outstanding Farm Family of the 
Year.
  Although Joel McLaney was previously an electrician by trade, farming 
has been a part of the McLaney family for three generations. When Joel 
transitioned into farming full time, he purchased 83 acres of land from 
his grandfather who was involved in the poultry industry. For many 
years, Joel raised poultry in five

[[Page 12386]]

chicken houses, and today on 300 acres, the McLaneys raise cattle and 
grow a variety of crops, including: cotton, peanuts, and hay.
  Joel and his wife Gena of 25 years have two children, Josh, who is a 
senior at the University of West Florida, and Kaylyn, a senior at 
Laurel Hill High School, within whom they have instilled the value of 
hard work and to whom they plan to pass on the farm to continue the 
McLaney family farming tradition.
  Aside from their time on the farm, Joel is a bus driver and Gena is a 
teacher. The McLaneys are also active members of Auburn Pentecostal 
Church and the Farm Bureau.
  Mr. Speaker, the Okaloosa County Outstanding Farm Family of the Year 
Award is a true reflection of the McLaneys' tireless work and their 
dedication to family and farming. On behalf of the United States 
Congress, I would like to offer my congratulations to the McLaney 
family for being outstanding in their field. My wife Vicki and I extend 
our best wishes for their continued success.

                          ____________________