[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 80 (Thursday, June 22, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1083]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING THE LATE CHARLES ``CHARLIE'' ISAMI TANIMURA

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                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2000

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise on this occasion to honor 
Mr. Charles ``Charlie'' Isami Tanimura who contributed not only to the 
city of Salinas, but also in the agricultural community as co-founder 
of Tanimura & Antle, one of the nation's largest independent produce 
growers. Charles Tanimura will be remembered greatly for his spirit of 
true innovation. On February 27, 2000, Mr. Charles Tanimura passed away 
at the age of 83.
  Mr. Tanimura was born December 15, 1916 in San Juan Bautista, where 
his father had settled from Japan. One of 12 brothers and sisters, 
Charles saw farming as the family livelihood and later took on the 
farming operation with four of his brothers in the 1930's. As World War 
II began, many of the Tanimura family members found themselves being 
sent to internment camps. However, Charles had enlisted in the Army 
prior to the bombing. During the family's internment, the Tanimuras 
lost the leases on the land they were farming, however shortly after 
they were able to rebuild their operation to include thousands of prime 
agricultural acres.
  Friends described Tanimura as an, ``unassuming individual who 
preferred to stay out of the limelight''. Known as a member of the 
Japanese-American Citizens League, Tanimura will be remembered as 
generous in helping with the Buddhist Temple's annual festival in July.
  As noted by many individuals in the community, ``Just to be a 
Tanimura is to be famous.'' To be a Tanimura is to have left a valued 
contribution on society. Charles Tanimura exemplifies the spirit of 
resilience in his fight to persevere in the face of great obstacles. 
Mr. Speaker, it is with these words that I ask you and our colleagues 
to join me in honoring this example of a man. Mr. Charles Tanimura is 
survived by his loving wife, Fumiko; his three children, Gary Tanimura, 
Keith Tanimura and Bonnie Yokomata; his four brothers, George, John, 
Tom and Robert Tanimura; three sisters, Alice Sato, Betty Furushko and 
Rose Yuki; two grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

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