[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 80 (Tuesday, June 8, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1161-E1162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    A TRIBUTE TO THE DE JONG FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                     HON. RANDY ``DUKE'' CUNNINGHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. CUNNINGHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the de 
Jong family of San Diego County, California. Over the last few years, I 
have had the privilege of working with Arie de Jong and other members 
of a family that epitomizes the American success story. The de Jong's 
are close friends to America, which has given them the opportunity to 
lead and succeed.
  On May 26, the de Jong family celebrated 50 years of American 
heritage with a reunion in Poway, California. Since 1948, when Tom de 
Jong moved to America, the de Jong family has been an important piece 
of San Diego's community.
  I have attached an article from the online edition of the San Diego 
Union Tribune that explains more family history and this recent 
celebration.
  In addition, I want to extend my personal congratulations on their 
first 50 years in American history, and wish them health and happiness 
for the next 50 years.

             Far-flung Family Meets, Marks 50 Years in U.S.

                           (By John Berhman)

       POWAY--The de Jong family is a coming-to-America success 
     story.
       Fifty years ago, from their native Holland, the family--a 
     mother, father and 10 children--traveled across the United 
     States to a relative's sparse cattle ranch here. From that 
     beginning, they grew into one of the most successful and 
     well-known families in North County.
       The family's Hollandia Dairy in San Marcos in an 
     institution. Family members have spread out all over 
     California and the country, many of them working in the dairy 
     business.
       Yesterday, many of them returned to their American roots, 
     celebrating 50 years of being in this country with a family 
     reunion where it all started.
       They met at Old Wyoming Picnic Grounds, the family 
     homestead at the end of Old Pomerado Road in south Poway. 
     They gathered around shady oak trees and three stone 
     buildings that served as the family's first homes in this 
     country to reminisce and give thanks.
       It is quite an extended family now. From 10 brothers and 
     sisters have come 54 children and nearly 100 grandchildren, 
     most of whom are expected during the reunion. About five 
     family members, mostly cousins, are attending from Holland. 
     Other family members have come from Oregon, Michigan, New 
     Mexico and various parts of California.
       ``This is wonderful. This is what family and friends are 
     all about. And, this great country. We feel so privileged to 
     be a part of this country,'' Tom de Jong, at 73 the oldest of 
     the 10 brothers and sisters, said yesterday at the kickoff of 
     the event.
       Tom was the first of the family to come to America. That 
     was in 1948, when he took a job working on his uncle Sam 
     Bruinsma's ranch in what is now Poway. Bruinsma was married 
     to Tom's father's twin sister, Tante Jet.
       Impressed with America and the opportunities it offered, 
     Tom wrote to his parents, insisting they join him.
       The rest of the family did indeed follow the oldest son, 
     arriving in New York on May 26, 1949. This week's reunion--
     expected to draw more than 200 de Jongs and close friends--
     marks the 50th anniversary of that event.
       ``I will never forget that day,'' Arie de Jong, 60, perhaps 
     the best known of the clan, said yesterday. ``The Statue of 
     Liberty and that New York skyline--and coming to America.
       ``America has been good to us.''
       Arie, after helping his family start the Hollandia Dairy, 
     became a millionaire in the trash-hauling business. Among the 
     possessions he has acquired are the three stone structures in 
     Poway that his family first lived in.
       The reunion, the first of its kind for the family, was 
     Arie's idea.
       ``It's really for the kids and the grandkids through,'' he 
     said. ``It's to show them where their family started in this 
     country.''

[[Page E1162]]

       Arie has arranged a busy schedule that included a barbecue 
     picnic last night at the old family homestead, a trip to 
     Catalina today and tomorrow, another barbecue and picnic 
     Saturday at nearby Big Stone Lodge, and church on Sunday 
     followed by final farewells.

     

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