[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 18 (Monday, February 1, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E78]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    RECOGNIZING BOB AND MARIE GALLO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF DENHAM

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 1, 2016

  Mr. DENHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Bob and Marie Gallo, who will be awarded the Robert J. Cardoza Citizen 
of the Year--Lifetime Achievement Award from the Modesto Chamber of 
Commerce, for their unwavering commitment to their community.
  Bob Gallo was born in Modesto, California to Julio and Aileen Gallo. 
He spent his early years on their family ranch and graduated from 
Modesto High School. He continued his education at Oregon State 
University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business 
and Technology in 1956. Bob served in the United States Navy for two 
years aboard the USS Yorktown.
  Marie also was born in Modesto, California to former Superior Court 
Judge Frank C. and Mae Damrell. Graduating a year after Bob at Modesto 
High School, Marie attended Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont 
where she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree and her elementary 
teaching credentials. Following her graduation, she came back to 
California where she started teaching at Alamo Elementary School in San 
Francisco. As if it were written in the stars, Marie returned to 
Modesto and married the love of her life, Bob.
  Both Bob & Marie have a strong belief in improving the quality of 
life for the people in their community. Their contributions of time and 
money are well documented in the numerous organizations they are 
involved in.
  Bob Gallo has been active in the United Way, the Grand Jury, 
Community Action Commission, King-Kennedy Center, Rotary International, 
Human Rights Commission, Sierra Club, Audubon Society, Nature 
Conservancy, and on the Board of Trustees of the University of 
California, Merced. In addition, he has worked to expand the Modesto 
Union Gospel Mission and received an award from The Salvation Army for 
his leadership in raising monetary funds. He has served on the board of 
American Farmland Trust and was the driving force behind the San 
Joaquin National Wildlife Refuge. Currently, Bob is Co-Chairman of the 
Board of E. & J. Gallo Winery. Not to be outdone by her husband, Marie 
has been a part of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Guild, where she 
established the Picnic at the POPS concert, which has been held 
annually on the winery grounds since 1995. She is also a founder of the 
Catholic Honorary Social Service Guild, an honorary member of the 
Modesto Rotary Club and of the Women's Auxiliary, and is a founding 
board member of Central Catholic High School. She held a prominent role 
in bringing the Sisters of the Cross to Modesto from Mexico and also 
served as a member of the ``Christmas Angels'' bell ringing team for 
the Salvation Army for numerous years. Marie played a vital role in the 
construction of the Gallo Center for the Arts with the support of her 
husband and family.
  Bob and Marie, who were married in the summer of 1958, will celebrate 
their 58th anniversary in July. Together, they raised 8 children and 
were blessed with twenty-two grandchildren; to which they have passed 
along the importance of family church and commitment to the community.
  Mr. Speaker, please join me in congratulating Bob and Marie Gallo for 
their recognition from the Modesto Chamber of Commerce with the Robert 
J. Cardoza Citizen of the Year--Lifetime Achievement Award. Their years 
of dedicated service to the community are to be commended.

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