Formatting necessary for an accurate reading of this text may be shown by tags (e.g., <DELETED> or <BOLD>) or may be missing from this TXT display. For complete and accurate display of this text, see the PDF.
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E120]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
HONORING THE CAREER OF TOM NASSIF UPON HIS RETIREMENT
______
HON. JIM COSTA
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, February 3, 2020
Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the service of Tom
Nassif, as his service as President and CEO of Western Growers comes to
an end.
The career of Tom Nassif has been defined by strong consistent
advocacy for growers of produce in the western United States. The
national discourse on immigration, trade, and water policy has been
distinctly shaped by his work for more than four decades.
Tom Nassif received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business
Administration from California State University, Los Angeles and his
Juris Doctorate from California Western University, School of Law in
San Diego, California.
Nassif has set himself apart by serving in a multitude of prestigious
positions. He was a labor attorney for the agricultural industry, and
most notably, one of the first attorneys to try a case before the
Agricultural Labor Relations Board. In President Ronald Reagan's
administration, he was appointed Deputy and Acting Chief of Protocol
for the White House. In 1983, he was promoted to Deputy Assistant
Secretary of State for Near East and South Asian affairs. After two
years, President Reagan appointed him to be his ambassador to the
Kingdom of Morocco. After his term, he moved on to work as chairman of
Gulf Interstate Engineering in Houston. Next, he became managing
partner of Aequitas International Consulting, an international business
and political consulting company.
In February of 2002, Nassif became President and CEO of Western
Growers. In 2013, he utilized his legal skills to help produce an
immigration bill that passed in the Senate. Not only that, under his
leadership, he assisted with the first time specialty crops received
recognition in federal policy, with the passage of Specialty Crop
Competitiveness Act as part of an agriculture appropriations bill. He
also was a huge contributor for the specialty crop provisions in the
Farm Bill. Nassif was named the Western Growers' 2019 Award of Honor in
recognition of his unique approach and impact on the produce industry.
This is the highest recognition of achievement in the industry.
Tom Nassif has left his mark by advocating for transparency and
quality service. Nassif's affinity for protecting farms has directly
resulted in laws and programs that will carry on his legacy in the
industry. He has commitment to creating programs to address areas like
food safety and technology that are state of the art.
Now, Nassif serves on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee in
Washington, D.C. and is one of the three national co-chairs for the
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing the
service of Mr. Tom Nassif and wish him the best in his well-deserved
retirement.
____________________