[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 132 (Thursday, September 17, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO PAUL BALLOU HOFER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. KEN CALVERT

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 17, 2009

  Mr. CALVERT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor and pay tribute to 
an individual whose dedication and contributions to the community of 
Ontario, California were exceptional. Today I ask that the House of 
Representatives honor and remember an incredible man and American 
patriot, Paul Ballou Hofer, Jr. Paul was a dear friend of mine and I 
was deeply saddened by his passing on July 8, 2009.
  Paul was born to Paul Ballou Hofer and Frances Morgan Hofer on 
January 23, 1921 at the family ranch in Ontario, California. He 
attended Mountain View Elementary School, Chaffey High School and the 
University of Southern California. A natural athlete, at Chaffey he 
played varsity basketball for four years and was a halfback on the 
football team, receiving dual scholarships to USC for both sports.
  During World War II Paul served in the U.S. Navy, commissioned as a 
Naval Aviator, with several thousand hours of flight time. In 1944 Paul 
married his high school sweetheart, Laura Jean Belcher, who preceded 
him in death. They had three sons, Paul III, John and Brett who grew up 
in the same house in which their father was born. Along with his 
brothers Morgan, also deceased, and Phillip, Paul was a fourth 
generation vineyard farmer at Hofer Ranch which was founded by his 
family in 1882. Paul always believed that the lessons learned from 
lifetimes of farming, hard work and determination, coupled with the 
deeply held and abiding belief that land is what endures, have been the 
anchor that has guided the family through seven generations on the 
ranch.
  In addition to ranching, Paul was a man of many interests. He had a 
great love of the outdoors, with a passion for fly fishing and wing 
shooting. Paul was a member of the Masons, and also of the Republican 
Party. He collected antique farm and winery equipment, proudly adding 
to the collection at Hofer Ranch. In addition to his three sons, Paul 
is survived by his brother, Phillip, and his family; his grandchildren, 
Jason Hofer (Christina), Jacklyn Hofer Winton (Jeremy), Morgan Hofer 
and Laura Hofer; his great-granddaughter, Elizabeth; and other family 
members.
  Paul's passion for his ranch, his family, and his community has 
contributed immensely to the betterment of Ontario, California. I was 
proud to call Paul a fellow community member, American and good friend. 
I hope his family knows that their father, brother, and grandfather, 
and the goodness he brought to this world, will always be remembered.

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