[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 90 (Tuesday, June 26, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1200]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JESSE GALLARDO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 26, 2001

  Mr. FARR of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Jesse 
Gallardo as he recently celebrated the end of his tenure at Major Farms 
Inc. in Soledad, California. Mr. Gallardo retired on March 31, 2001 
bringing an end to sixty-four years of service to Major Farms Inc. and 
the entire Soledad community.
  After moving from Orange County to Soledad as a young boy, Mr. 
Gallardo grew up living on the property of Major Farms. When he was 
fourteen years old, he began working full time on the farm, which at 
that time was barely one year into operation. Until his retirement at 
the age of seventy-eight, Mr. Gallardo continued to work ten hour days, 
six days a week, and in distant years past, it was common practice 
during the spinach harvests for Mr. Gallardo to work seventeen hour 
days. After twenty-three years at Major, Mr. Gallardo moved into 
Soledad, yet continued to work at Major Farms while simultaneously 
raising six children.
  Mr. Gallardo's dedication and hard work was not exclusively held to 
Major Farms, rather his positive influence has infiltrated the entire 
city of Soledad. To honor Jesse Gallardo's dedication to the community 
of Soledad, the city of Soledad presented Mr. Gallardo with a plaque 
and even designated a baseball park in his honor. Every Fourth of July, 
Mr. Gallardo participates in a softball game at Jesse Gallardo Park.
  Mr. Speaker, the service of local members of the community are an 
asset to this nation, and I applaud Mr. Gallardo's contributions. The 
retirement of Mr. Gallardo signifies the end to a dedicated sixty-four 
years of service to Major Farms and the entire Soledad community. It is 
clear that Jesse Gallardo's dedication has made a lasting impact on his 
community, and I join the city of Soledad in honoring Mr. Gallardo.

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