Recognizing Punkin Center Gin in Dawson County, Texas

Floor Speech

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Mr. ARRINGTON. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize a remarkable achievement in West Texas--the Food, Fuel, and Fiber Capital of the World. Punkin Center Gin, owned by Al Crisp, has marked a grand milestone by celebrating its one-hundredth year in operation. This family business underscores the resilience and history of our farming community in Dawson County.

Punkin Center Gin opened its doors back on June 11, 1924, making it not only the oldest cotton gin in West Texas but also the second oldest in the entire state still in operation.

Al Crisp's dedication to his family's agricultural legacy is clear. He is proud to maintain a century-old agricultural business in Texas where his ancestors have lived since before it was a state. He was quoted with a sentiment many share in the Lone Star State--``I'm Texas to the core.''

Like plenty of our region's farmers, Al values hard work and family. He has pushed off any centennial celebrations until after the harvest season, and he is committed to the future of Punkin Center Gin hoping to pass it down to his children. In West Texas, we take pride in fostering farmers of character who fuel and feed the rest of the country.

On behalf of the 19th Congressional District of Texas, I thank Al Crisp, his family, and the team at Punkin Center Gin for their dedication to agriculture and our community. God bless them and go West Texas.

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