[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14603]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   HONORING BARBARA GRIMM-MARSHALL AND KARI GRIMM-ANDERSON FOR THEIR 
                    DEDICATED COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 18, 2017

  Mr. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and am joined by my colleague 
from California, Mr. Valadao, to recognize two outstanding leaders in 
our community: Barbara Grimm-Marshall and Kari Grimm-Anderson. 
Throughout the years, Barbara and Kari have been deeply involved in our 
community and it comes as no surprise they have each been named by the 
Kern County Fair as 2017 Person of the Year.
  Every year, the Kern County Fair attracts families from all over the 
Central Valley to partake in the unique festivities ranging from the 
Great American Duck Race to the highly-competitive 4-H livestock 
showcases. However, we also take time to acknowledge and pay tribute to 
individuals who have improved our community with the Person of the Year 
award.
  While Barbara and Kari may be known for their leadership roles with 
the world's largest carrot operation through their family-owned farm, 
Grimmway Enterprises, Inc., they have each played an integral part in 
the betterment of our community. Notably, in 1998, Grimmway Enterprises 
created a college scholarship program for the children of their 
employees that has provided access to higher education through more 
than 300 college scholarships.
  Through their philanthropic endeavors, Barbara and Kari have been 
instrumental in helping students in rural regions of the Central Valley 
prepare for college, while also working to address the increasing 
prevalence of childhood diabetes and obesity through various programs 
and outreach efforts.
  Barbara founded and currently serves as the CEO of the Grimm Family 
Education Foundation and has worked tirelessly to establish rural 
charter schools throughout Kern County to ensure students have access 
to a world-class education. In August 2011, the Foundation opened the 
Grimmway Academy in Arvin, California, enrolling more than 280 students 
Kindergarten through third grade. Today, the Academy has two campuses, 
one in Arvin and the other in Shafter, with total enrollment surpassing 
1,200 students for the 2017-2018 school year. Additionally, the 
Foundation recently opened the Buena Vista Edible Schoolyard, dedicated 
to exposing students to the many facets of agricultural and 
environmental stewardship in the region.
  Kari is widely known for her insight and contributions to a number of 
civically-minded groups, including the Board of Directors for the 
Junior League of Bakersfield and the Board of Regents at Concordia 
University, Irvine. Similarly, Barbara has dedicated her time serving 
on various boards, such as the Lori Brock Children's Museum, St. John's 
Lutheran Church, the California State University Foundation, the 
Regents of Concordia University, and the Board of Directors of Tejon 
Ranch, among others.
  The selfless efforts of Barbara and Kari have impacted so many and 
both have set an exceptional example for all of us to follow as we work 
to improve our community. Through investing in education to providing 
resources to those less fortunate, Barbara and Kari are steadfast in 
their vision and commitment to helping others. We congratulate Barbara 
and Kari for jointly being named the 2017 Kern County Person of the 
Year and commend them for their tireless service, work, and vision for 
our community. We look forward to witnessing their continued efforts 
that touch the hearts of so many

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