[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 163 (2017), Part 4]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 5270-5271]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            IN RECOGNITION OF THE FRESNO COUNTY FARM BUREAU

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 3, 2017

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Fresno County 
Farm Bureau in celebration of its 100 year anniversary of advocating 
for agriculture on behalf of the Central Valley.
  The Fresno County Farm Bureau has been dedicated to bringing farmers 
and ranchers together to promote agriculture in the Central Valley 
since 1917. The organization was started by George Feaver, J.A. 
Poytress, Sam Heisinger, H.W. Wrightson, Charles Parlier, and Leroy 
Smith. Leroy Smith was the first Extension Service farm advisor 
assigned to Fresno County, which spurred his desire to initiate the 
Fresno County Branch.
  The Fresno County Farm Bureau is one of fifty-three county Farm 
Bureaus, and represents over four thousand members. The members include 
farmers, ranchers, and dairy producers who put food on Americans' 
dinner table every night. As a voice for agriculture, the organization 
has a goal of preserving California's fresh, local, and diverse 
agrarian culture for generations to come. It also leads the industry in 
addressing issues that result in long-term viability for agriculture 
through political action, community outreach, and public education. The 
Farm Bureau achieves their goal of advocating for the Central Valley by 
promoting economic vitality of the region through the work of its 
members.
  The Fresno County Farm Bureau has been known to encourage all 
citizens to be supportive and appreciative of the incredible 
contribution farmers, ranchers, and farm workers make daily to the 
Central Valley community and economy.
  Mr. Speaker, today I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing the 
Fresno County Farm Bureau on 100 years of contributions to our country 
and our Valley's agriculture industry. We commemorate the service of 
all the members of this organization who have worked collectively to 
improve, protect, and promote agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley, 
which has now become one of the breadbaskets of our nation. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the incredible contribution our 
farmers and ranchers make to the

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Central Valley community and our nation's economy.

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