George P. Radanovich: “I stand today with my fellow delegates in celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the State of California. As you know…”

“I stand today with my fellow delegates in celebration of the Sesquicentennial of the State of California. As you know, California was admitted into the union as the nation's 31st state 150 years ago. Since that time, our state has developed into a capital of the arts, a headquarters for business, and a distinguished marketplace for agriculture. Mr. Speaker, I represent the 19th District of California, which spreads across the farm country below the Sierra foothills from Visalia, south of Fresno, to the mountainous Mariposa County. Most of the landmass I represent is part of the Sierra Nevada, and it contains most of three national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia. I am truly honored and privileged to represent an area so rich in splendor and American history. Fresno, for example, is a city of both agricultural and industrial importance in California. A creation of the industrial age, Fresno was founded by the Central Pacific Railroad. Its city fathers also bred the local wine grape, developed the raisin industry, and cultivated the Smyrna fig. Now, Fresno County's crops also include cotton, citrus, tomatoes, cantaloupes, plums, peaches, and alfalfa. In fact, Mr. Speaker, Fresno County has grown to currently produce more farm products in dollar value than any other in the country.”