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January 11, 2014 Saturday
Washington: SPEECH OF HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014
Washington
The Library of Congress, The Government of USA has issued the following Speech:
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay to tribute to the life of
Ernest Armen Bedrosian who passed away on January 1, 2014 at the age
of 80. Ernie had a significant role in the raisin industry, and his
advocacy on behalf of farmers throughout California will undoubtedly
be missed.
Ernie grew up in Parlier, California with his two brothers; Krikor and
Kenneth, and his sister, Clara. His parents, Murad and Elizabeth, were
first generation immigrants who survived the Armenian Genocide.
Growing up in an immigrant family with strong parents, Ernie quickly
developed great values and principles.
In 1955, Ernie graduated from Fresno State College with a Bachelor's
Degree in agriculture. Upon graduation, he joined the United States
Army and became a food specialist. A year into his service, Ernie
married the love of his life, Carlotta Ketchian. They raised two
children; Bryan and Tammy.
In 1958, Ernie completed his time with the Army and went back to work
on his family farm. Ernie and his brothers began a grape harvesting
business, and in his spare time, Ernie served on various raisin boards
and met stakeholders who farmed throughout the Valley. In 1966, he
formed the Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA). Ernie served as the
first president of the RBA and guided the association through its
early years. Today, the RBA is the most successful and largest raisin
bargaining association in the country.
While Ernie was establishing the RBA, he and his brothers were also
expanding their farming operation. In 1967, they decided to go into
the raisin packing business and opened National Raisin Company (NRC).
The Bedrosian brothers and their partner Harry Rustigian developed the
``Champion'' brand. Ernie served as the president and was responsible
for sales and daily operations. The NRC had a strong beginning and
decades later, it still continues to prosper. It is the largest
independent raisin, prune, and dried fruit operation in the world.
It is obvious that Ernie was an extremely successful businessman, but
he never took full responsibility for his accomplishments. He
attributed his success to Carlotta and his sister in-laws; Katherine
and Jane, who served as a support system to the Bedrosian brothers
while they were forming their business. Ernie loved the raisin
industry, but family always came first. He was a loving and devoted
husband and a supportive father. He also enjoyed spending time with
his grandchildren; Corney, Tyler, Armen, and Lillian.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the
House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of Ernest Armen
Bedrosian. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will
surely live on in the Central Valley.
For more information please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/
January 11, 2014 Saturday
Washington: SPEECH OF HON. JIM COSTA OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014
Washington
The Library of Congress, The Government of USA has issued the following Speech:
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay to tribute to the life of
Ernest Armen Bedrosian who passed away on January 1, 2014 at the age
of 80. Ernie had a significant role in the raisin industry, and his
advocacy on behalf of farmers throughout California will undoubtedly
be missed.
Ernie grew up in Parlier, California with his two brothers; Krikor and
Kenneth, and his sister, Clara. His parents, Murad and Elizabeth, were
first generation immigrants who survived the Armenian Genocide.
Growing up in an immigrant family with strong parents, Ernie quickly
developed great values and principles.
In 1955, Ernie graduated from Fresno State College with a Bachelor's
Degree in agriculture. Upon graduation, he joined the United States
Army and became a food specialist. A year into his service, Ernie
married the love of his life, Carlotta Ketchian. They raised two
children; Bryan and Tammy.
In 1958, Ernie completed his time with the Army and went back to work
on his family farm. Ernie and his brothers began a grape harvesting
business, and in his spare time, Ernie served on various raisin boards
and met stakeholders who farmed throughout the Valley. In 1966, he
formed the Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA). Ernie served as the
first president of the RBA and guided the association through its
early years. Today, the RBA is the most successful and largest raisin
bargaining association in the country.
While Ernie was establishing the RBA, he and his brothers were also
expanding their farming operation. In 1967, they decided to go into
the raisin packing business and opened National Raisin Company (NRC).
The Bedrosian brothers and their partner Harry Rustigian developed the
``Champion'' brand. Ernie served as the president and was responsible
for sales and daily operations. The NRC had a strong beginning and
decades later, it still continues to prosper. It is the largest
independent raisin, prune, and dried fruit operation in the world.
It is obvious that Ernie was an extremely successful businessman, but
he never took full responsibility for his accomplishments. He
attributed his success to Carlotta and his sister in-laws; Katherine
and Jane, who served as a support system to the Bedrosian brothers
while they were forming their business. Ernie loved the raisin
industry, but family always came first. He was a loving and devoted
husband and a supportive father. He also enjoyed spending time with
his grandchildren; Corney, Tyler, Armen, and Lillian.
Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the
House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of Ernest Armen
Bedrosian. His presence will be greatly missed, but his legacy will
surely live on in the Central Valley.
For more information please visit: http://thomas.loc.gov/