Recognizing Mr. George Caratan

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. George Caratan on his retirement from the Board of Directors at the Delano Growers Grape Products. Mr. Caratan is a native of the Central Valley. From an early age, he learned the values of hard work and perseverance, spending his youth assisting his father with the family grape-growing business, Anton Caratan & Son in Delano. Mr. Caratan graduated from St. Mary's High School in Moraga Valley and then attended St. Mary's College. After his studies, he returned to the family business where he established his career in the agriculture industry. In 1940, Caratan & Son joined Delano Growers Grape Products (DGGP), a cooperative of grape farmers in the Central Valley. Mr. Caratan was selected as a board member of Delano Growers Grape Products in 1953. For 71 years, Mr. Caratan has helped lead Delano Growers Grape Products through the development of the grape growing business in the Central Valley, and his expertise and passion for the industry has been crucial to their success. Mr. Caratan's commitment to agricultural innovation was instrumental in the commercialization of two table grape varieties-- rouge and blanc seedless grapes. Mr. Caratan has also dedicated his career to serving on several boards, including the Kern Tulare and Rag Gulch Water District, the California Fresh Fruit Association, and the American Slavonic Social Club. In 2014, Mr. Caratan received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Fresh Fruit Association in recognition of his significant contributions to the industry. The success of the Central Valley agriculture industry owes much to the dedication of our community's growers, and I want to thank Mr. Caratan for his commitment to innovative, high-quality and delicious grapes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in celebrating Mr. George Caratan on his incredible career. His service to the Central Valley agriculture industry will be felt for generations to come.

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