[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 43 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S3061]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                       IN MEMORY OF ERNEST GALLO

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, today, I ask my colleagues to join 
me in honoring the memory of the late Ernest Gallo, a true American 
success story who came from a humble beginning to head the world's 
largest winemaking company. Mr. Gallo passed away in the peaceful 
company of his family and loved ones at his home in Modesto, California 
on March 6, 2007. He was 97 years old.
  The first son of Joseph and Susie Gallo, immigrants who hailed from 
Italy's renowned winemaking region of Piedmont, Ernest Gallo was born 
in Jackson, in the Sierra Nevada foothills region of California. Ernest 
and his younger brothers, Julio and Joe, gained important insight into 
the winemaking business by working alongside their father in the family 
vineyard. As a precocious and driven 17-year-old boy, Ernest sold a 
railcar full of family grapes during a trip to Chicago for $17,000, a 
considerable sum of money during those days. From that point forward, 
it was apparent that Ernest was a gifted and determined entrepreneur 
who was destined for great success in the winemaking business.
  After his parents unexpectedly passed away, Ernest accepted the 
mantle of the head of the business and the family at the age of 24 and 
founded E. and J. Gallo Winery in 1933 using a $5,000 loan from 
Ernest's mother-in-law and his brother Julio's entire savings of less 
than $1,000. Throughout his stewardship of the winery that would become 
one of the world's most prolific and recognized winemaking companies, 
Ernest consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to produce 
affordable, popular, and high quality products.
  A wine connoisseur in the truest sense of the word, Ernest was a 
perfectionist who left his imprint on nearly every aspect of the 
winemaking process; from overseeing production, to devising brilliant 
marketing plans, to regularly traveling across the country to make sure 
that wine displays were properly presented in markets. Simply put, 
Ernest was a consummate winemaker who was absolutely dedicated to 
honing and perfecting his craft.
  Ernest Gallo has left behind a legacy of success and the well-
deserved recognition as one of the leading figures of American 
winemaking. This son of California's Central Valley will be greatly 
missed.
  Ernest Gallo was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, 
Amelia, and son, David. He is survived by his son, Joseph, and four 
grandchildren.

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