September 21, 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1649 

year. Over the past ten years, the Rawson 

family has managed the land to grow trees 

and attract wildlife. They use their one hundred fifty acres to plant myriad trees, including 

loblolly and slash pine longleaf, sawtooth, bur, 

shumard, willow, swamp chestnut, cherry bark 

oak, and pecan trees. The family’s fruit orchard with pears, muscadines, and many 

other fruits was a later addition to the preexisting varieties of plants. 

David and Pat Rawson have been married 

for thirty-six years, and they have three wonderful children, Paige, Suzanne, and Scott. 

They all assist in helping out with the farm, including tree planting, pruning, fertilizing, bush 

hogging, and weed management. It is David 

and Pat’s plan to one day pass on the farm to 

their children to continue their farming legacy. 

The Rawson family truly embodies the cohesive nature and household unity that characterize our nation’s family farmers. 

Outside of their farm, David works part-time 

as an oral surgeon, and Pat is a devoted 

homemaker. In addition, both find the time to 

be active members of the Northwest Florida 

community. David is a member of the Southeastern Society of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Florida Dental Association, Escambia 

and Santa Rosa Dental Society, and 

Escambia Sertoma. Pat is a member of the 

Junior League of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze 

Hospital Auxiliary. They both worship and volunteer at the Dorcas Baptist Church, and their 

continued commitment to agriculture and wildlife is further displayed through their involvement with the Certified Tree Farmers of America, National Wild Turkey Federation, Forest 

Landowners Association, National Rifle Association, and Florida Farm Bureau. The 

Rawson’s commitment to farm, family, faith, 

and community is certainly commendable, and 

they serve as an example to all. 

Mr. Speaker, our great nation was built by 

farmers and their families, and I take great 

pride in recognizing and paying tribute to the 

outstanding farm families located in Northwest 

Florida. This year we honor the Rawson family 

for their contributions to Okaloosa County and 

the farming community. On behalf of the 

United States Congress, I would like to offer 

my congratulations to the Rawson family for 

being awarded the title of Okaloosa County, 

Florida Outstanding Farm Family for 2012. My 

wife, Vicki and I extend our best wishes for 

their continued success. 

f 

VOICING THE CONCERNS OF 

UPSTATE NEW YORK FARMERS 

HON. TOM REED OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 

share with you the concerns of farmers from 

New York’s 29th congressional district. On 

Monday, September 17th, 2012 I had the opportunity to host an open discussion with my 

Agricultural Advisory Council which is comprised of farmers ranging from dairy and specialty crop growers to wine makers and beef. 

The members of this Council represent all 

eight counties of the district and based on 

their extensive experience and contributions to 

New York Agriculture, I greatly value their 

opinions. 

With Agriculture being the largest industry in 

New York State, any legislation which impacts 

our farmers also has a direct impact on our 

local economy as well as our communities. 

While all members of this Council said that 

they would prefer a long term Farm Bill over 

any extension, I heard an additional sentiment 

from the audience. That sentiment is a need 

for stability. This year’s setbacks have reminded us just how extremely volatile the agricultural industry is and without stability today, 

our farmers cannot accurately plan for tomorrow and years to come. 

Western New York dairy farmers are currently dealing with the growing Greek yogurt 

industry in New York State. Without Congressional action, provisions critical to the dairy industry will expire, and dairy farmers across 

New York will be faced with skyrocketing feed 

prices. For many of the small family farms in 

New York this could mean the end of their 

livelihood. While many provisions in the current farm bill would remain intact through the 

end of the year, inaction by Congress before 

September 30th will leave dairy farmers in 

New York out in the cold. 

Other farmers in my district are anxious 

about the Estate Tax, which is set to return to 

55 percent in 2013. Mr Speaker, with the 

value of equipment and property, even the 

smallest farms in New York can be appraised 

at over one million dollars, making them eligible to be taxed. Our farmers again need the 

stability of knowing they can build for their 

family’s future and be able to pass down the 

fruits of their labor for their children and grandchildren. We cannot return to the days when 

family farms had to be sold off just to pay the 

estate taxes. 

Mr. Speaker, our farmers are the backbone 

of our nation. We need to help them stabilize 

their production costs, stabilize their workforce 

and stabilize their confidence. With a stable 

agricultural sector we can create jobs, and 

continue to work to improve our economy and 

provide badly-needed career opportunities. 

f 

60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE NASHVILLE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 

LEAGUE 

HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN OF TENNESSEE

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mrs. BLACKBURN. Mr. Speaker, I rise 

today to commemorate a Music City gem that 

is celebrating its Diamond Anniversary. This 

fall marks the 60th Anniversary of the Nashville Symphony Orchestra League. Helping to 

bring the lofty sounds of the soul to Middle 

Tennessee, the Orchestra League’s good 

work adds more than just notes to our great 

State, it adds a glorious soundtrack to our 

story. 

The Nashville Symphony Orchestra League 

works to support and promote the work of the 

Nashville Symphony. Since 1946, the Nashville Symphony has been enriching audiences 

and shaping cultural life through a diverse mix 

of concerts and performances. The Nashville 

Symphony Orchestra League, founded in 

1952, engages the community by providing innovative programs and educational opportunities; a mission that has been at the heart of 

the orchestra since its beginnings. For over 60 

years the Orchestra League has touched 

countless lives, the young at heart and in age, 

as it continues to offer time, talents, and treasures to enrich the music. 

Were it not for the Nashville Symphony Orchestra League, and its hard work throughout 

the years, Middle Tennessee might not have 

another beautiful note in her composition 

known the world over. I ask my colleagues to 

join with me in honor of those who dedicate 

their work to the ongoing preservation of the 

Nashville Symphony; ensuring Nashville’s extraordinary and musical legacy rises and settles for another generation of Music City listeners. 

f 

HONORING SHELDON OHREN 

HON. ELIOT L. ENGEL OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Friday, September 21, 2012 

Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Sheldon Ohren of Monsey in my district 

who was elected National Commander of the 

Jewish War Veterans of the U.S.A. at its 117th 

Annual National Convention this August. He 

has served as Commander of the Department 

of New York and is a life member of PFC Fred 

Hecht Post 425 in Rockland County. 

Mr. Ohren served in the Air Force from April 

1952 through January 1956. As an Airman 

First Class, he was assigned to the 6910th 

Security Group Headquarters in Landsberg am 

Lech, Germany, where he served as a cryptographic communications specialist. 

After leaving the service, he enrolled at New 

York University and graduated with a Degree 

in Industrial and Labor Relations. Afterwards 

he finished his accounting credits at the City 

College of New York and in 1965 joined the 

Internal Revenue Service. Before retiring in 

2000 as an Appeals Team Chief, he earned a 

Master of Science Degree from Pace University and taught at Long Island University. 

Mr. Ohren was elected Jr. Vice Commander, Sr. Vice Commander, and ultimately 

Commander of the JWV Department of New 

York in 2008. He has worked as a member of 

the National Executive Committee, the National Court, the Convention Committee, as 

well as a Special Assistant to the President of 

the National Museum of American Jewish Military History. 

He also serves as Vice-Chairman of the 

West Point Liaison Committee and attends 

Oneg Shabbats sponsored by JWV at the 

Academy, and presents Kiddush Cups and 

Shabbat Candlesticks to the Jewish graduates. In addition, he represents JWV at local 

Naturalization ceremonies and presents a 

copy of the Bill of Rights to the new citizens. 

Mr. Ohren is a regular visitor at the VA Hospital in Montrose, NY, and has served as a 

Docent at the Camp Shanks Museum, the 

Port of Embarkation during World War II. 

In addition to JWV, he has been President 

and Treasurer of his B’nai B’rith Lodge for 10 

years and has been a member of Congregation Shaarey Israel for the past 19 years. He 

is also a Charter Member of the United States 

Holocaust Museum and a member of the Holocaust Museum and Study Center in Spring 

Valley, NY. 

He is a Brooklyn native and he and his wife 

Judy, a Life Member of the Ladies Auxiliary of 


tjames on DSK6SPTVN1PROD with REMARKS