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“HONORING A.J. YATES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE AS AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E295-E296 on Feb. 18, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING A.J. YATES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE AS AGRICULTURAL
MARKETING SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR
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HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, February 17, 2005
Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me today to pay tribute to my friend and fellow Californian, A.J. Yates, who has served as Administrator of the Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) for the past four years. It has been an honor to work with him on legislative matters involving agriculture, and many of us here on the Hill have come to rely on his expertise.
President Bush appointed A.J. Yates AMS Administrator in September 2001 to oversee more than 50 programs designed to maintain a stable marketing environment for the benefit of America's farmers, ranchers, and consumers. AMS accomplishes this mission through federal marketing orders, research and promotion programs, the federal-state marketing improvement program, and the wholesale marketing development program. Agricultural transportation issues, market regulatory laws, market news, and federal grading and certification are other tools the agency uses to help ensure a steady supply of high quality food on American tables.
Mr. Yates brought to AMS many years of experience in both the agriculture industry and state government, and USDA and the American people have benefited greatly from his expertise. His background is quite impressive. Mr. Yates served as Deputy Secretary for the California Department of Food and Agriculture, CDFA, from August 1991 to December 1996 and as Under Secretary until January 1999. During his tenure at CDFA, Mr. Yates helped provide leadership to the CDFA's seven divisions and developed and implemented policy for California's agricultural industry and consumers. After leaving CDF A, Yates was a senior marketing consultant with Panagraph Marketing Solutions in Fresno, CA.
Mr. Yates graduated from California State University at Fresno in 1957 with a bachelor's degree in agronomy. As a life-long farmer from Kerman, California, he has been actively involved in organizations supporting agriculture and education, serving as President of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, State Director of the California Sugar Beet Growers Association, and Director of the Mid-Valley Irrigation District.
While at AMS, Mr. Yates has proven to be a tireless advocate for the long-term survival and economic well-being of America's farms. His leadership has proven crucial in several issue areas important to America's farmers, including the management of Federal marketing orders and the Fruit and Vegetable Advisory Committee and launching the implementation of the organic program.
AMS employees wish Mr. Yates the best as he returns to California to spend time with his wife Joyce and their three sons. I, too, wish him well and join my colleagues in commending him on a job well done.
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