[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 26, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING SARALEE McCLELLAN KUNDE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 26, 2014

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the 
memory of Saralee McClellan Kunde, who passed away on January 26, 2014, 
after 66 remarkable years.
  Saralee devoted her life to bettering the community and the people 
she so cherished. She was a tireless and passionate advocate for 
agriculture in Sonoma County. Raised on her family's dairy ranch, 
Saralee never wavered from promoting the agricultural legacy into which 
she was born.
  She was an impassioned supporter of 4-H and the Future Farmers of 
America (FFA) as well as of the Sonoma County Fair and the Sonoma 
County Harvest Fair. She was equally as dedicated to promoting the 
Russian River Valley as a premiere wine region. Together with her 
husband, Richard Kunde, Saralee owned and operated a 265-acre vineyard 
that produced wine grapes for renowned wineries in the Sonoma and Napa 
Valleys as well as across our Nation. Perhaps most admirable about the 
Kunde estate was the private park Saralee and Richard created. Once an 
overgrown field, the park known as ``Richard's Grove and Saralee's 
Vineyard,'' hosted countless community and charitable events.
  Aside from her work to promote Sonoma County Agriculture, one of the 
most poignant examples of Saralee's devotion to bettering her community 
are the thousands of daffodils she planted each year along the highways 
and back roads of Sonoma County.
  Her unwavering passion and dedication to the many causes and 
organizations she championed was an inspiration to all. And in turn, 
Saralee was beloved by all those who were fortunate enough to have 
known her. Saralee was inducted into the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Hall 
of Fame in 2013. She was honored as a Friend of Agriculture by the 
Sonoma County Harvest Fair, was awarded the Shining Star Award by the 
4-H Foundation as well as with the Leadership in Agriculture Award by 
the Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce.
  Saralee was kind, magnetic and loving. Her zest for life and ``can-
do'' attitude were contagious. Mr. Speaker, it is appropriate at this 
time that we honor and thank Saralee McClellan Kunde for her life of 
service to a grateful community.

                          ____________________