[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 19, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF EARL SMITTCAMP

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Earl 
Smittcamp who passed away on the morning of October 20, 2014 at the age 
of 96. Earl's passion for farming and education exemplify the meaning 
leadership.
  Earl was a prominent agriculture business leader. He alongside his 
wife Muriel, founded Wawona Frozen Foods which currently leads the 
industry in development and distribution of fruit and fruit products. A 
1939 graduate of Fresno State, Earl recognized the value of hard work 
and education and spent his time giving back to his community.
  Earlier in his life, Earl honorably served our country in the U.S. 
Marines Corps during World War II. Upon his return, he and his wife 
purchased her father's 200 acre fruit ranch. Their small business went 
on dominate the frozen food market, making Wawona Frozen Foods one of 
the oldest peach processors in the U.S.
  Wawona Ranch flourished into a full agricultural operation ranging 
from fruit farming, packing, frozen-food production to food processing. 
Earl's sons Bob and Bill manage the business. The Smittcamp's success 
made a $2 million donation to Fresno State in 1997, possible. This 
generous donation helped establish the Smittcamp Family Honors College. 
The Honors College offers a rigorous academic program for top students. 
The Smittcamp Family Alumni Center was also later established and 
opened in early 2000.
  In addition to his businesses, Earl also received the following 
government appointments: Sixth Acting Disaster Governor of California 
by Governor Ronald Reagan from 1966 to 1972, served on the California 
State Board of Agriculture from 1970 to 1972, was appointed by 
President Richard M. Nixon to the White House Conference on Food and 
Nutrition in 1969, served as chairman of the Federal Farm Credit Board 
in 1971, and finally in 1976 Earl was appointed to the U.S. Advisory 
Committee on Regulatory Programs.
  In 1993 Earl's hard work was recognized by The Fresno Chamber of 
Commerce's Leon S. Peters Award. Other awards include Clovis' 
Outstanding Citizen in 1962, Fresno State's Outstanding Alumnus in both 
1963 and 1980. In addition, Earl was inducted into the Frozen Food Hall 
of Fame in 2005.
  Earl met his wife Muriel at Fresno State in 1940 and the two happily 
married. In 2009 he was preceded in death by his wife. They are 
survived by their four children and 14 grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues to 
join me in honoring the life of Earl Smittcamp. Earl's children, 
grandchildren, relatives and many friends have an outstanding role 
model that they will hold in their hearts forever. His presence will be 
greatly missed but his legacy will surely live through the Smittcamp 
family's deep commitment to supporting the community and the 
university.

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