[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 169 (Tuesday, November 17, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT ``BOB'' LOQUACI

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 17, 2015

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Robert 
``Bob'' Loquaci, who passed away on October 31, 2015 at the age of 92. 
Bob was an extraordinary person, and he will always be remembered as a 
man who lived his life with purpose and dedication to public service.
  Robert ``Bob'' Loquaci was born in Madera, CA on June 1, 1923 to 
Urbano Loquaci and Eda Pistoresi Loquaci. He was born to be a farmer; 
he began farming grapes with his father as soon as he was old enough to 
help. Love came at a young age for Bob, who met the love of his life, 
Dora Karahadian, when they were both teenagers. Bob would go on to 
serve his nation by joining the U.S. Navy in the Pacific during the 
World War II. When Bob returned from his service, he married Dora. They 
were married for 70 years and together, they had two sons, David and 
Leslie, who have continued the family farming legacy.
  Mr. Loquaci's passion for agriculture was passed on from his father 
at a young age. Throughout his life, he served his farming community in 
different leadership positions. Bob served both as a Founding Director 
and President of the Raisin Bargaining Association. Mr. Loquaci 
represented the domestic raisin industry by testifying in Washington 
D.C., where President Nixon later signed a law making imported raisins 
meet U.S. food Safety standards. Bob also traveled twice to Japan to 
open the market for U.S. raisins and to promote raisins sales. Bob also 
served as: founding Director of the California Association of Winegrape 
Growers (CAWG), Director of the Raisin Administrative Committee, was a 
Charter Member of the Nisei Farmers' League, and was an active member 
of the Western Growers Association, Madera Farm Bureau, and Madera 
Grange.
  Bob was a strong supporter of his community and was dedicated to 
helping those around him. He co-founded the Madera Agriculture Youth 
Association (MAYA) to support agricultural endeavors of local youth. He 
was also generous; he was an annual supporter and buyer of the Madera 
Junior Livestock sale. He was extremely involved, including being a 
Charter and Lifetime Member of the Madera Elk's Club, a Director of the 
Madera County Fair Board, a Trustee of La Vina School Board, a Director 
of the Chamber of Commerce, a member of the VFW, and he was a member of 
other service clubs as well.
  Bob lived his life to the fullest, surrounded by family and friends. 
His commitment to family and to his community will forever live in the 
lives of the people he touched. Bob is survived by his loving wife, his 
two son's David and his wife, Joan and by Leslie and his wife, Laddyne, 
three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. I am honored and 
humbled to join his family in celebrating the life of this amazing man, 
who will never be forgotten.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to a 
man of great service and dedication. His memory will live on through 
his family and be remembered by our entire community. We are all better 
for having known Mr. Robert ``Bob'' Loquaci, a remarkable Californian 
and Central Valley native.

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