[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 131 (Wednesday, September 7, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1541-E1542]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE OF FRED DONALD ``DON'' GIACOMAZZI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, September 7, 2011

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Fred Donald ``Don'' Giacomazzi, who passed away on August 18, 2011 at 
the age of seventy-three. Don was a distinguished dairyman and 
community leader who always placed the utmost importance on kinship, 
family, and friends.
  Don was born on October 26, 1937 to Fred and Lilia Giacomazzi in 
Hanford, California. He grew up working on his family's dairy, which 
was established by his grandfather, Luigi Giacomazzi in 1893, and is 
one of the oldest operating dairies in California. He became active in 
the family business and learned the value of hard work early in his 
childhood. Don also became active in 4-H and the Future Farmers of 
America during his youth, demonstrating his passion for agriculture.
  Upon graduating from Hanford High School in 1955, Don studied at 
College of the Sequoias, and then transferred to California State 
University, Fresno, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. 
Years later, in 1966, Don married Jacqueline Giglio and they had four 
children and five grandchildren.
  Don spent his adult life as a farmer in Kings County, California. In 
1969, he and his father formed Don and Fred Giacomazzi Farms,

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which is currently run by Don's son, Dino, producing a fourth-
generation family dairy operation. Don's passion and commitment to 
agriculture was evident in his enthusiastic membership and leadership 
within a number of dairy organizations. Don was a member of the Dairy 
Herd Improvement Association for 22 years and served as president for 
five years, a member of the California Milk Advisory Board for 12 
years, and chairman of the Kings County Western United Dairymen for 
four years. In addition, his family was named Dairy Family of the Year 
in 1998. In 2008, he and his wife Jackie were honored as the 
Distinguished Dairy Couple at the 52nd annual Salute to the Dairy 
Industry Dinner in Hanford, California.
  A truly notable son of the San Joaquin Valley, Don also found time to 
enrich the community as a member of the Kings County Citizens for a 
Healthy Environment. Balancing his time and service to dairy and 
agriculture issues, Don also served as a member of the school board for 
30 years and 4-H club leader, clearly exhibiting his personal vested 
interest in youth and education programs in agriculture.
  Whether he was spending time with his family and friends, or serving 
our community, Don will be remembered as a man filled with compassion 
and joy. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Jackie; his mother 
Lilia; his four children Gina, Dino, Cara, and Mia; sister Patricia; 
five grandchildren; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
life of Fred Donald ``Don'' Giacomazzi, an honorable and respected man 
with an unwavering commitment to our community and his loving family.

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