[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 125 (Thursday, September 23, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1943]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO FRED MARTELLA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 23, 1999

  Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to 
Mr. Fred Martella, who has been named the 1999 Agriculturist of the 
Year by the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce and Kings County Farm Bureau.
  Mr. Martella was born in Lemoore in 1917, the second of Louis and 
Elvezia Martella's seven children. He attended Hanford High School 
before leaving to assist with the family dairy operation. Mr. Martella 
started milking cows for $25 a month, and later held positions at 
numerous sales yards in the San Joaquin Valley.
  In 1944, Mr. Martella entered into a dairy partnership, selling the 
dairy two years later. In 1952, he entered into another partnership 
with his brother, Art. Throughout his career, Mr. Martella has also 
been active as a professional auctioneer, and has donated his services 
to Valley charities on countless occasions.
  During his 82 years in the Valley, Mr. Martella has been active in 
the farming community and the life of Kings County. He served on the 
Agricultural Kings Fair Board of Directors until 1986, was named Grand 
Marshall at this year's Kings County Homecoming Parade, and was named 
Citizen of the Year in 1993.
  Mr. Martella is also well-known throughout the Valley as a supporter 
of Kings County youth. He has been a regular fixture at the Kings 
County Fair's Youth Auction, helping 4-H and Future Farmers of America 
(FFA) participants auction off their projects at top prices, and 
assisting with their annual Lamb Barbecues.
  Finally, Mr. Martella is a dedicated family man. He is married to Ann 
Martella, and has three daughters, two stepdaughters, twelve 
grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me today in recognizing Fred 
Martella for his contributions to the agriculture field and to his 
community. We send our sincere congratulations for the well-deserved 
honor of being named Agriculturist of the Year.

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