Recognizing Mrs. Sylvia Chavez
Floor Speech
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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my colleague Mr. Fong, to honor Mrs. Sylvia Chavez as she is named 2024 Cattlewoman of the Year by the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association.
Mrs. Chavez was born on February 21, 1943, and is a third-generation native of Kern County. From a young age, she has been deeply involved in the livestock industry, spending her youth competing in county fairs and attending brandings with her parents. At just six years old, Mrs. Chavez won her first horse show at the Kern County Fair. After graduating from South High School in 1961, she continued her education at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Throughout her life, Mrs. Chavez has used her passion for livestock and cattle for meaningful service to her community. After her family relocated to Rosedale in 1968, she became involved in the 4-H agriculture program, volunteering her time to empower youth to explore their interests in livestock. She was instrumental in introducing the 4-H and Future Farmers of America Horse Show to the Kern County Fair, creating hands-on learning experiences for local youth. In 1978, she began working at a resort in Bear Valley Springs to manage the Equestrian Center and was proud to hire many young Central Valley residents interested in the horse business.
Mrs. Chavez's career has spanned three different ranches. She first joined her husband, Fred in 1978 to work on a large ranch in the panhandle of Idaho. The couple later moved to Oregon where she helped manage a 50,000-acre ranch with 2,000 cattle. They then returned to California to manage Cattani Ranch by Caliente Creek. In addition to ranching. Mrs. Chavez has served her community by working for the California Correctional Institution. Mrs. Chavez is the proud mother of three children--Julie Ann, John, and Megan, and grandmother to five. After her retirement, Mrs. Chavez became deeply involved with the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association, serving on the board and dedicating countless hours to the association's events. She is a longtime member of the Kern Sierra Unit of Backcountry Horsemen of California, where she has served as president.
Through her many years of work and service, Mrs. Chavez's impact has been immense. Since 1962, the Kern County Cattlewomen's Association has named a Cattlewoman of the Year, celebrating the hard work, sacrifice, and dedication that an individual has made for the success of the Kern County cattle industry. As this year's recipient, Mrs. Chavez is recognized for her tremendous impact on the Kern County community.
Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Mrs. Sylvia Chavez for being named the 2024 Kern County Cattlewoman of the Year, and thank her for her contributions to the Kern County community and cattle industry.
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