[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 41 (Thursday, March 17, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E525]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF JIM MANNASSERO

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 17, 2011

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I come to the House floor today to raise a 
glass of scotch in memory of Jim Mannassero, who died late last year 
following a brief illness. Jim was a giant among giants in the Salinas 
Valley's $4 billion produce industry. He was involved for decades in 
vegetable production at all levels and was admired as a true leader by 
colleagues and competitors alike. So while you may have never heard of 
Jim Manassero, I can guarantee that every member of Congress has eaten 
something that Jim helped to grow.
  Those fortunate enough to know Jim will remember his gravely voice--a 
voice that he never hesitated to use to tell it as he saw it. Jim was 
always free with his opinions and observations, but he never let those 
opinions stray from his own deep knowledge and wisdom. When Jim spoke, 
you always knew that there was thought behind his words, even if those 
words came with a kick in the pants. He never left you in doubt about 
where you stood with him. But Jim's leadership and authority didn't 
come from being loud or pushy, it came from unfailing honesty and deep 
integrity. So while you may not have agreed with Jim, you always 
trusted him. Jim's friends will also remember his sense of style, with 
one pant leg tucked into his boot and accessorized whenever he could 
with a glass of scotch.
  Jim worked for D'Arrigo Bros. of California for thirty two years, 
serving as Vice President of California Operations for the last 25. He 
was a member of Class I of the prestigious California Ag Leadership 
Program. He was the current Chairman of the Monterey County Agriculture 
Advisory Group which counsels the Monterey County Board of Supervisors 
on issues facing the agricultural industry. He was a founding member, 
and past President, of the Salinas River Coalition, where he worked 
with other Salinas Valley land owners to reduce the flood risk to 
Salinas Valley Communities and the surrounding farmland. Since 1979, 
Jim served as a member of the California Lettuce Research Board, 
serving as the organization's Chairman from 1997 to 1999. Jim served as 
Chairman of the Board of the Grower-Shipper Association in 1985-1986. 
Just last year he was the recipient of the Association's highest honor, 
the E.E. ``Gene'' Harden Award for Lifetime Achievement in Central 
Coast Agriculture. The additional boards, commissions, organizations 
and committees on which Jim served are too numerous to mention but, it 
is enough to say that Jim did the work of a dozen people. The United 
States is a better place for Jim's efforts.
  Mr. Speaker, Jim leaves behind his wife, Ginny, his two children, 
Victoria and Paul, and one grandson, Julian. I know that I speak for 
the whole House in extending to them and to Jims friends and colleagues 
our deepest condolences.

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