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“IN HONOR OF JERRY PRIETO, RETIRING FRESNO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1351 on June 25, 2008.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
IN HONOR OF JERRY PRIETO, RETIRING FRESNO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL
COMMISSIONER
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HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a man who has been a tireless voice for agriculture in my home district of Fresno County, California. On June 29, 2008, Jerry Prieto will be retiring as the Fresno County Agricultural Commissioner after over 35 years of dedicated service to Fresno County.
Agriculture continues to be California's number one industry with Fresno County ranking as the number one agricultural producing county in California and the nation. The fertile soils of Fresno County support over 300 different crops, valued at near $5 billion annually to the economy of California. Many things contribute to California's bountiful crops, but one significant underlying factor in Fresno County's agricultural success has been the presence of Jerry Prieto as its lead advocate.
Jerry has never been a stranger to agriculture. The son of a migrant farm worker, Jerry was raised on a small family farm near Corcoran, California. Jerry attended California State University, Fresno, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science. In 1974, Jerry began working for the Fresno County Department of Agriculture advancing to the position of Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in 1980. In 1999, he was appointed to the position of Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures. In this position, Jerry has been responsible for promoting and regulating the Nation's number one agricultural producing county, and protecting the county's environment and the public's health, safety, and welfare.
Among Jerry's varied accomplishments is serving on then Governor Davis' State Committee on Terrorism. Jerry has also been active on many boards and for 4 years served as chairman of the Fresno County Department Heads Council. Mr. Prieto is a member of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, the Fresno County Council of Governments Farmland Conservation Steering Committee, chairman of the Fresno County Council of Governments Farmland Preservation Advisory Committee, and the Fresno County Land Conservation Committee. He is the immediate president of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association and was the first Agricultural Commissioner to serve two terms as President.
Jerry Prieto recently was quoted as saying, ``All I ever wanted to do was to be a farmer.'' Part of what Jerry will now be able to focus on more is the acreage he owns. He plans to spend time with wife Cindy, his two children and two grandchildren. He also hopes to catch up on a little fishing. Though only days away from retirement, Jerry is still found diligently carrying out his responsibilities. His prompt and earnest action concerning the drought now facing California, mobilized Fresno County resources to quickly produce valuable data necessary for the Governor's office to declare an official drought emergency. I know that Jerry will continue to energetically advocate for Fresno County's Agriculture needs, not only up to, but well beyond his retirement date. It is only fitting that I recognize Jerry Prieto today before this Chamber and the country for unflinching service to his community, State and Nation.
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