[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 8 (Wednesday, January 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E89]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING ERNIE GEMPERLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 14, 2009

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today with my colleague from 
California Mr. Cardoza to honor the life of Ernie Gemperle for his 
dedication and service to his community and family. Mr. Gemperle passed 
away at the age of seventy-nine on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 
Emanuel Medical Center in his home town of Turlock, California.
  Ernie Gemperle was born on June 7, 1929 in Bischofsell, Switzerland 
and was one of twelve children. He graduated from the International 
Poultry School in Bern. Mr. Gemperle emigrated from Switzerland in 1949 
with nothing more than his degree. Upon arriving to the United States, 
he was drafted into the Army, where he served at Fort Ord during the 
Korean War. In October 1955, he went back to Switzerland to marry his 
childhood sweetheart, Annemarie Dezlhofer. They returned to the U.S., 
settled in Turlock, California and began an egg business, Gemperle 
Enterprises. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gemperle raised seven children and 
developed a successful business.
  Gemperle Enterprises has been an industry leader as egg production 
moved from small, scattered henhouses to the concentrated, automated 
operations of today. The business was one of the first egg farms to use 
bulk, rather than sacked, feeds. Mr. Gemperle upgraded the packing 
system in other areas of the operation with the goal of providing 
quality eggs at a lower price. The eggs were marketed under the Nulaid 
label. He soon joined with other egg producers to create NuWest 
Milling, which built a feed and grain terminal near Hughson, California 
and the NuCal Foods distribution cooperative in Ripon, California. Mr. 
Gemperle was a pioneer for the egg industry, including organic and 
other specialty eggs. He was willing to purchase the newest equipment 
with the latest technology to insure the safety of the hens and provide 
the lowest prices for the consumers. Today, the family business has 
grown to include over one million hens on several farms.
  Mr. Gemperle and his family have tirelessly supported numerous 
causes, including their church, healthcare, higher education and the 
arts. The Greater Yosemite Council of Boy Scouts was his number one 
cause. Mr. Gemperle served as Council President for two terms from 
1990-1991. He received the Silver Beaver for his service to Scouting in 
1991. He also served as the head of the council's Investment Committee 
from its inception in 2006. He has also served on the Executive Board 
of the Council from the early seventies until his recent passing. His 
son, Michael, serves as the Scouting Nominating Committee Chair and as 
the Executive Vice President of the Council. Michael is slated to 
become President in 2010. Since 1971, the Gemperle Family Bar-B-Que has 
raised money for Scouting each year. The event is held at the family 
home and the food is served by family members. It is estimated that 
over $500,000 has been raised from this BBQ.
  Mr. Gemperle was considered a leader in his local community. He 
served as Rotary President and a Rotarian for forty years. He has been 
a driving force behind many of the City Council's initiatives, 
including the building of the Rogers Service Center in 1999-2000. He 
served on the boards for both Emanuel Hospital and Doctors Hospital in 
Modesto. He was past chairman of Catholic Charities of the Stockton 
Diocese and was instrumental in the construction of Sacred Heart Church 
and the California State University, Stanislaus Newman Center. 
Recognition of his service is great; including Agri-businessman of the 
Year (1980 Turlock Chamber), Paul Harris (1985 Rotary), Liberty Bell 
(1990 County Bar), University Medal (1991 CSUS) and Good Samaritan 
(1999 EMC) just to name a few.
  Mr. Gemperle's leadership and generosity has been passed down to his 
children who now run Gemperle Enterprises. All of his children are 
active in the community and serve on the boards or committees for 
various organizations and causes that Mr. Gemperle supported. He was a 
strong supporter and advocate of California State University, 
Stanislaus, United Samaritan's of Turlock, Emanuel Hospital of Turlock, 
Sacred Heart Church and the Boy Scouts of America. The family was 
honored at the ``Distinguished Citizen's Dinner'' by the Council in 
2005 for their continuous work and dedication to the community.
  Annemarie Gemperle preceded her husband in death in 1999. Mr. 
Gemperle is survived by his second wife, Maria Gemperle; sons Peter, 
Richard, Stephen and Michael all of Turlock; daughters Heidi Gemperle 
of Seattle, Anita Mahaffey of San Diego and Susan Abdo of Boise; two 
step-daughters Brigit Johnson and Barbara Masterson; twenty-one 
grandchildren; three step-grandchildren; brother, Walter Gemperle of 
Turlock and six siblings in Switzerland.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Ernie Gemperle for 
his leadership and dedication to his community. I invite my colleagues 
to join me in honoring his life and wishing the best for his family.

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