[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 26 (Wednesday, March 3, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E295-E296]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN MEMORY OF BILL SAMBRAILO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 2004

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Bill 
Sambrailo, a community leader who dedicated his life to improving the 
agriculture industry. Mr. Sambrailo passed away on January 31st, 2004, 
at the age of 76. He is survived by his wife Eileen Bromber Sambrailo 
and three children, Mark, Judy, and Michael, as well as seven 
grandchildren.
  Bill Sambrailo was born in Watsonville, California to Charles and 
Henrietta King Sambrailo. He was an avid athlete and played on the 
football team at Watsonville High School, graduating in 1945. Bill 
attended Santa Clara University where he played running back on the 
university football team, including an appearance in the Orange Bowl. 
He graduated with a degree in business in 1950.

[[Page E296]]

  Bill went on to manage his family's business, with the help of his 
brother Chuck, and quickly became an entrepreneur and inventor. Bill 
helped the business grow by inventing new corrugated tray designs for 
containing produce, increasing their shelf life. He also started the 
Samco Plastic Company which invented and produced the green mesh 
baskets used for strawberries in the spring. He later invented the 
clamshell package designed to store many varieties of produce ranging 
from potatoes, beans, peas, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and 
cherries. Samco Plastic Company also holds a patent on MIXIM packaging 
which produces extremely efficient packaging materials that condense 
the produce into smaller areas without damaging them. In addition to 
his agricultural successes, Bill also became the founding director of 
the Pajaro Valley Bank, and later the director of the new First 
National Bank.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my deepest sympathy to Bill's 
family and honor him by celebrating his life and contribution to 
society. Furthermore, anyone who has purchased strawberries or 
raspberries can thank Bill for the packaging that keeps them fresh. 
Bill was admired by all for his dedication to both his business and 
community, and will be greatly missed.

                          ____________________