[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 154 (Thursday, October 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2616-E2617]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING DONALD D. LAUB

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 22, 2009

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
man whose life and pursuits have exemplified the spirit of fortitude 
and the virtues of family demonstrated by so many of those who work to 
provide food and fiber to our great nation. Many factors have 
contributed to California's bountiful agriculture industry and the 
economic well-being of the State of California, but one underlying 
factor in California's agricultural success has been the fortitude of 
those such as Donald D. Laub. A long-time Fresno county agricultural 
leader and Easton-area grape grower, Donald passed away on Oct. 20, 
2009.
  Born on July 22, 1933, in Fresno, Don Laub was involved in farming 
for the majority of his 76 years. At the tender age of 9-years-old, Don 
was called upon to assist his mother Anna and twin brother Ronald in 
keeping the family farm going when his father Henry died in 1943. These 
early years of working the farm would set the foundation for Don's 
entire agricultural career.
  In 1954, Don married Clara Fogal. The Laubs soon expanded the family 
farm to the Easton area of Fresno County with the purchase of prime 
vineyard land. Under Don's direction, Laub Ranches quickly became known 
for producing premium table grapes, raisins and wine grapes. As part of 
J&L Vineyards, Don was one of the first to embrace and actively use 
integrated pest management and trellis designs for table grapes. Four 
generations have now engaged in the family business. His grandson, Ryan 
Jacobsen, is executive director of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and 
his mother, Debbie Jacobsen, Mr. Laub's daughter, became the first 
female president of the Fresno-area chapter in 2002. Through Don's 
example, they have endured many challenges, but all with the tenacity 
of a

[[Page E2617]]

strong family farm ethic whose commitment has remained to agriculture 
as a business, as well as a way-of-life. Up until his untimely death, 
Don was still actively farming and pursuing new agricultural challenges 
for his business.
  Mr. Laub was a respected leader in local agricultural and community 
organizations. For more than 50 years, Don was involved with the Fresno 
County Farm Bureau, serving as the organization's president from 1986-
88. He represented Fresno County on the California Farm Bureau 
Federation Board of Directors, and served on several advisory 
committees for the state and national Farm Bureau organizations. In 
1996, Don received the Distinguished Service Award from the California 
Farm Bureau Federation. 1994 brought an extra-special time as both the 
Laub and his in-laws, the Jacobsen family, received the Fresno County 
Farm Bureau Distinguished Service Award in 1994. That same year, Don 
was selected as the Fresno County Agriculturalist of the Year. In 2001, 
J&L Vineyards received the Agricultural Business of the Year Award.
  Rennown for his passion and dedication to agriculture, Don Laub also 
served on the boards of directors of the Ag One Foundation at Fresno 
State, California Association of Winegrape Growers, Farm Labor 
Alliance, the advisory committee for the U.C. Extension Field Station 
in Parlier, and for several wine industry boards and commissions. In 
the late-1980s, Don was appointed to serve on the federal Western 
Region Immigration and Naturalization Service Advisory Committee. He 
was later appointed to serve on the Big Fresno Fair Board of Directors 
and the Fresno County Planning Commission. Don was a member of the 
California Agricultural Leadership Program, Class III.
  In addition to his service to agriculture, Don assumed leadership 
roles in the Easton community, having served as a trustee and president 
of the American Union Elementary School Board and Washington Union High 
School Board. He also served as a director of the Fresno County Public 
Schools Foundation. Don's passion for education was evident in his 
program to host inner-city school children from Los Angeles and Fresno 
on his farm during the 1990s to learn more about agriculture. Don 
served in the Biola Congregational Church, and on the boards of 
Twilight Haven Convalescent Home, Fresno County Civil Service 
Commission, and Fresno County Affordable Housing Task Force.
  Donald D. Laub will always be remembered for his passion for 
Agricultural issues, dedication to his family and friends, and for his 
lifetime of service to his industry and community. He will be greatly 
missed, but his legacy will continue throughout all of California's San 
Joaquin Valley.

                          ____________________