[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 56 (Tuesday, May 9, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LALONDE FAMILY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JAMES A. BARCIA

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 9, 2000

  Mr. BARCIA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a family that has 
reached a significant milestone. On May 7, 2000, the LaLonde family of 
Standish, Michigan celebrated 100 years of continuous family farming.
  On May 7, 1900, Samuel and Helen LaLonde purchased and began farming 
a plot of land in Arenac County that once belonged to the Saginaw 
Railroad Company. They produced various crops and had a herd of dairy 
cows. Through hard work, long hours and complete dedication to farming 
they were able, over the years, to purchase additional surrounding land 
and expand their family farm.
  In 1913, Samuel and Helen LaLonde passed the land down to Mose and 
Eva LaLonde, their son and daughter-in-law. The second generation of 
LaLondes continued to farm until Mose's death in 1951, when their son 
and daughter-in-law, Donald and Bernadine LaLonde, began managing the 
property. In 1961, they purchased the farm and continued to manage and 
reside on the LaLonde farm. In 1967 the barn that housed their dairy 
operation burned down. Unwilling to give up, the LaLonde family 
switched operations and increased their production of corn, soybeans, 
green beans and sugar beets.
  The LaLonde family has been one of the lucky few who have held on to 
their farm through two World Wars, the Great Depression, and numerous 
other economically difficult times in American agriculture. They have 
responded to America's call for better conservation, vigilance in food 
safety and attention to nutrition while always making sure that the 
steady flow of food is uninterrupted.
  Mr. Speaker, the LaLondes are a fine example of American farmers who 
have lived life with uncertainty in order to put food on our tables. 
Each day they rise before the sun in order to cultivate the land or 
tend livestock, not knowing what the weather will bring or how market 
conditions will affect their bottom line. Farmers and ranchers across 
the country provide a solid foundation for our nation by ensuring that 
our basic food needs are taken care of--they are the backbone of 
America.
  One hundred years of family farming is a rare feat. I commend the 
LaLonde family for their hard work and commitment to American 
agriculture. I wish them another 100 years of prosperous and successful 
family farming.

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