[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 97 (Friday, July 21, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1482]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        HONORING LOUIS ``BOTCH'' TONELLA NAPA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 20, 2006

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
achievements of Louis ``Botch'' Tonella on the occasion of his 
recognition as the Napa County Farm Bureau's Agriculturalist of the 
Year for 2006.
  Mr. Tonella has been an active participant in the remarkable 
transformation of the Napa Valley into the world's premier wine-growing 
region. His career in vineyards started at a young age when he went to 
work at the Ponti-Beaulieu Vineyards, helping tend vines and trimming 
the orchards. During the difficult years of the Great Depression, he 
and a friend opened a general store in Rutherford to serve the needs of 
local farms and families. In 1949 Mr. Tonella purchased a vineyard, 
which he owned and operated for half a century before passing control 
to his son. Working among the vines beside his employees during the 
harvests, Botch was known for being a hard worker and team player. He 
drove his tractor through the vineyards a final time in 1997, at the 
age of 85.
  Mr. Speaker, in addition to his achievement as a vineyard owner, we 
should acknowledge Mr. Tonella's role as a member and leader of the 
community in the Napa Valley. He has performed the invaluable service 
of a volunteer fire fighter for the Rutherford Fire Department, 
including 10 years as the fire chief. He was also a founding member of 
the Sunny St. Helena Co-op Winery and an active participant in the Farm 
Bureau of Napa County for many years.
  Mr. Tonella's life has been blessed by the company of his wife of 70 
years, Eda Villa. His son Raymond now owns the Tonella vineyards, which 
today includes the Ponti vineyards Mr. Tonella worked on during his 
first job in the 1920s. The arrival of his first great-grandchild 
earlier this year marks another welcome addition to the Tonella family.
  Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this time that we recognize Louis 
``Botch'' Tonella for his lifetime of dedication, hard work and success 
in the vineyards of the Napa Valley and his leadership as a member of 
numerous organizations in our community.

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