[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 51 (Tuesday, April 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E545]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DANIEL S. CHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT T. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 20, 2004

  Mr. MATSUI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute to Daniel S. Chan. On 
March 22, 2004, the city of Sacramento and northern California lost one 
of it most respected and honorable business leaders when Daniel S. Chan 
passed away. As his friends and family gather to remember Daniel's 
remarkable life and many outstanding contributions to his friends, 
family, and community, I ask all my colleagues to join with me in 
saluting this exceptional citizen and my dear family friend, Daniel S. 
Chan.
  A native of Sacramento, Dan was born on June 9, 1915. Dan was a 
graduate of Sacramento High School, Class of 1933. During the same 
year, Dan's father, Chan Tai Oy, who immigrated from Canton, China to 
Sacramento in the early 1900s, started a new business venture; General 
Produce Company. At the age of 18, Daniel would join his father and two 
brothers, Tom and Eddie, and cousin, Davis Sun, and embark on what will 
be an illustrious six-decade long career with General Produce Company.
  As an owner, Dan was chief buyer and salesman for General Produce 
Company. Dan's dedication to the company and his work ethic were 
legendary. Dan worked seven days a week for over 60 years. Through 
Dan's outstanding business acumen and hard work, and his collaboration 
with his brothers Thomas and Eddie, General Produce Company would 
become one of Northern California's largest wholesale produce 
distributors. In addition to General Produce Company, Dan and his 
brothers also started one of the first department stores in Sacramento 
in the late 1950s and he also became involved in real estate, 
developing commercial and residential properties in the South Land Park 
Area in the 1950s and 1960s.
  I came to know Dan and his family through my father's, Yasuji, 
employment with General Produce Company, where he was a top salesman. 
Dan and my father would have lunch together everyday. Dan was an owner 
who truly cared about the best interests and well being of his 
employees. Over time, our families became very close. Dan and his wife 
Kitty, headed a loving family that included children; Deborah, Terrie, 
and Daniel. I have always had the utmost respect for the kindness and 
decency of the Chan family.
  In addition to possessing great knowledge in buying and selling 
virtually every commodity General Produce Company handled, Dan was also 
a man of many other interests. An avid baseball player in his younger 
days, Dan was a big baseball fan who regularly attended San Francisco 
Giants baseball games: A voracious reader, Dan would read four 
newspapers on a daily basis. Dan was also a man who enjoyed building 
things. Dan used his precious free time to build his children a tree 
house and decorative garden accessories for the enjoyment of his 
friends and family. After his retirement in the mid-1990s, Dan took up 
fishing and enjoyed golfing well into his later years. Dan and his 
wife, Kitty, traveled to many places, both domestic and overseas.
  Dan was preceded in death by his wife Kathleen ``Kitty'' Chan and 
siblings, Thomas, Eddie, and Marjorie. He is survived by his children; 
Deborah Chan of Hong Kong, Terrie Chan of Orinda and Daniel Chan of 
Sacramento. Dan was the loving grandfather of Ian Lee, Taylor Lee, 
Tyler Chan and Collin Chan.
  Mr. Speaker, as Dan Chan's family and friends gather to pay tribute 
to his wonderful life, I am honored to express my respect and gratitude 
to one of Sacramento's finest citizens. It was truly a privilege for my 
family to count Dan Chan as our dear friend. I ask all my colleagues to 
join me in honoring Dan Chan's remarkable life.

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