| In Honor Of Thomas A. Rider |
March 19, 2013 |
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Sam Farr, D-CA
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Thomas A. Rider for his continued dedication to the agricultural industries of Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley. Tom is a thoughtful, soft-spoken, intelligent leader and his contributions have translated to increased viability of these crucial industries throughout the Central Coast. It is with great honor that I recognize Mr. Thomas A. Rider as the 2013 Al Smith Friend of Agriculture award winner. Tom is part of the fifth generation of his family in the Pajaro Valley. He graduated from Watsonville High School in 1966 and went on in 1971 to obtain his degree from Oregon State University. In the early to mid 1980s, Tom helped this family’s business, H.A. Rider & Sons Bottles, make the successful transition from producing apple juice and cider to being a co-packer of flavored waters, brewed teas, energy drinks, and lemonades. Tom has served on the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Legislative Committee, in addition to chairing the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency. Later in his career, Tom served as the 4th Supervisorial District Representative for the Genetic Engineering Subcommittee for Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, HAS. Additionally, Tom represented the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau on the Transportation Funding Task Force, which is comprised of over 90 members representing business, neighborhood, environmental, health, and community-based organizations. Tom has also been a champion of the Basin Management Plan Committee for the Pajaro Valley Water Management Agency, PVWMA. Committed to improving the agricultural industry, Tom is currently a board member for the Central Coast Agricultural Task Force, CCATF and a member of the Legislative Committee for the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. Mr. Speaker, I have no doubt that agricultural industries of Santa Cruz County and the Pajaro Valley will continue to thrive with Tom’s devotion."
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| Recognizing The New Haven Lions Club |
March 27, 2012 |
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Richard Blumenthal, D-CT
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"Founded in 1922, the New Haven Lions Club is the second oldest Lions Club in Connecticut. The members—or Lions, as they aptly call themselves—come together four times a month at the New Haven Long Wharf to plan the community outings that have become well known and anticipated events. Their impact is felt when they hand out free hot cider at the New Haven tree lighting or deliver food donations to the Connecticut Food Bank. Since its start, the club has raised more than $717,000 in charitable contributions."
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| Ringhausen Family Wins 23Rd Annual Illinois Cider And National Cider Contest |
February 17, 2012 |
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Timothy Johnson, R-IL
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"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Joe Ringhausen Orchard and Apple House of Fieldon, Illinois in winning the 23rd Annual Illinois Cider and National Cider Contests on January 12 13, 2012. Joe and his wife Sina, along with son Dennis and other family members, exemplify excellence in their business and contribute to the overall economic success of their community. The orchard makes between 500 and 700 gallons per week during peak season. The Ringhausen Orchard is well known for their award-winning ciders. Joe’s experience in cider-making spans forty years."
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| Additional Statements |
December 7, 2011 |
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Olympia Snowe, R-ME
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"This small business provides a unique tree-cutting venture and invites families to experience the joy of selecting the perfect tree. At Old Farm, this is a journey that begins with a wagon ride over the farmland onto the fields where families can explore acres of the beautiful farm until they find their ideal tree. Once this perfect tree is selected, they will assist you in cutting down the tree and loading it into your car or even delivering it to local areas throughout the State. Lastly, as Maine’s winters can be frigid, families can finish the experience warming themselves by the fire inside the Old Farm store while sipping delectable cider and rich hot chocolate."
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| Honoring Charles Krug Winery Of St. Helena, California |
September 23, 2011 |
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Mike Thompson, D-CA
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"Charles Krug was the first outfit in the Napa Valley to implement a handful of revolutionary techniques and technologies including the use of the cider press in 1858, the differentiation of product labels by vintage and varietal, the use of glass-lined tanks and the use of French oak barrels in 1963. The winery’s estate vineyards have also been the sites of some historic innovations in the field of viticulture. Krug was the first vintner to purchase and develop vineyard land in the Howell Mountain area of Napa Valley. Peter Mondavi, Sr., avoided a costly replanting of the winery’s vineyards when he bucked industry and rejected recommendations to plant the AXR1 rootstock, which was later found to be vulnerable to industry-ravaging phylloxera damage. More impressive still, he was among the first vintners to develop vineyards in and around Carneros, demonstrating that Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot wines made from the grapes of this sub-appellation could reach high standards of quality."
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