[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 136 (Friday, September 9, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1235]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IN RECOGNITION OF MR. TONY WILLIAM DeGROOT

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DAVID G. VALADAO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 9, 2016

  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the late Tony 
William DeGroot for receiving the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Lifetime 
Commitment to Kings County Agriculture Award.
  Raised in Bennekom, Netherlands, Mr. DeGroot was the youngest of 
eleven children. During World War II, Mr. DeGroot's family was heavily 
involved in the Dutch Resistance, which led to his admiration of the 
bravery of the American soldiers and later his emigration to the United 
States at the age of twenty-one. On May 15, 1957, Mr. DeGroot and his 
wife, Betty, were married in Hollandale, Minnesota. They later moved to 
Southern California in 1959, and five years later they began their 
successful dairy farm operation in the Central Valley. In 1965, Mr. 
DeGroot became a founding member of the Visalia Christian Reformed 
Church where he worshiped, sang in the choir, and led song service. He 
was also a youth group leader and hosted Bible studies with his wife.
  Having been a dairy farmer, Mr. DeGroot was significantly involved in 
the dairy community of the Central Valley for many years. He was 
passionate about involving future generations in the industry and 
supported participants in FFA and 4-H. He served on the board for 
Rabobank and Alltech, among others. Mr. DeGroot was also one of the 
developers of DG Bar Ranch, which he started for his wife.
  In September of 2015, Mr. DeGroot passed at the age of eighty in a 
plane accident while on a fishing trip in Alaska, doing what he loved. 
He had a great sense for adventure, loved agriculture, and cared deeply 
for his family. He was a remarkable man who was hospitable to all who 
entered his life. Mr. DeGroot is survived by his loving wife, Betty, 
daughter, Rochelle, son, Tony, and grandson Jason.
  Mr. DeGroot was unanimously selected by the Kings County Agriculture 
Selection Committee as the honoree for this award due to his important 
contributions to the agriculture industry in the Central Valley.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the United States House of 
Representatives to join me in commending the late Tony William DeGroot 
for receiving the Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Commitment to 
Kings County Agriculture Award.

                          ____________________