[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 8, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1172]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING THE MEMORY OF MR. FRED MARTELLA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 8, 2005

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Mr. Fred 
Martella of Hanford, California. He is survived by his daughters, 
Loretta Montgomery, Barbara Caviezel and Celine Henning; his brother 
Art Martella; and his sisters Virginia Ribeiro, Dorothy Vierra and 
Violet Vierra. Mr. Martella's passing marks the end of a golden era.
  Mr. Martella is remembered by all in the Hanford community as a kind, 
giving and persistently optimistic citizen. He met each challenge in 
life with a unique energy and spirit.
  Mr. Martella's commitment to his family dates back to 1933 when he 
quit high school to dedicate his time to milking cows on the family 
farm. Undaunted by not having received a high school diploma, he 
successfully ran the farm and dairy, a testament to the adage that hard 
work and perseverance pay off.
  As the years passed, Mr. Martella became well-known in the community 
through his volunteer activities, civic engagements, and random acts of 
kindness. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Elks Lodge, Sons 
of Italy, California Holstein Association, and Kings County Citizens 
for a Healthy Environment.
  Despite managing the farm and dairy and participating in numerous 
organizations, Mr. Martella miraculously found time to help others. 
When it came to his attention that St. Rose-McCarthy School did not 
have computers, he helped collect $80,000 in donations for the school. 
He also assisted students of the Future Farmers of America association 
by finding buyers for Holstein heifers and cleaning up the grounds at 
the Kings County Fair. Mr. Martella's record of community service goes 
on forever, and the community honored him many times for his efforts.
  Mr. Martella was Dairyman of the Year twice, Distinguished Citizen of 
the Year in 1993 and received countless other 4-H and Future Farmers of 
America Awards. Yet, in the face of all of these awards, he remained a 
humble servant of the community.
  Fred Martella had a zest for life and an infectious smile and sense 
of humor. He serves as a prime example of how we should all live our 
lives. Although he will be greatly missed, his memory will live on 
among the many people whose lives he touched.

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