[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 140 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                  HONORING THE LIFE OF JOHN J. AREIAS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 15, 2016

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
achievements of John J. Areias who recently passed away at age 95. John 
was a wonderful father, grandfather, husband, dairyman, and friend, 
whose commitment to improving the San Joaquin Valley can be matched 
only by his depth of love toward those close to him.
  Born on April 27, 1921 to Jess and Genevieve, John was a first 
generation Portuguese-American from Volta, California. His family moved 
from Portugal's Azores Islands to California to start their dairy 
operation. John's father put $10 down on 640 acres of land in western 
Merced County, where John spent much of his youth learning how to be a 
dairyman alongside his eight siblings. He was the valedictorian of 
Volta elementary and graduated from Los Banos High School in 1940.
  John had an insatiable hunger for community involvement, which began 
with his high school's student government and the Future Farmers of 
America (FFA). His leadership position in the FFA granted him many 
opportunities early on, one of which called on him to present cattle at 
the California State Fair. This is also where he would meet the love of 
his life, Mary, whom he married shortly thereafter. John and his 
brother Jess then moved on to begin their own dairy, which quickly 
became the first grade-A dairy in the Los Banos Dairymen's Association. 
Eventually their dairy became one of the biggest and most successful in 
California, but they never lost sight of the role family should play in 
their business. John's children played the same part that he did when 
he was younger, lending a hand in day-to-day dairy operations to 
support the family business.
  John was also very politically active in Central California 
Democratic circles. Because he understood that coming from an immigrant 
family, as a first generation American, that as a part of citizenship 
it was important to be involved. He served as Chairman of the Merced 
County Democratic Central Committee and was a delegate to the 
Democratic National Convention in 1960, where then Senator John F. 
Kennedy earned the nomination of his party as candidate for President 
of the United States. John was also a devout Catholic, serving as the 
Grand Knight for the Knights of Columbus.
  John is survived by his four children, Marcia, Lucia, Kathleen, and 
Rusty, all of whom left John immensely proud of their success. He is 
also succeeded by his five grandchildren, Evan, Nick, Bianca, Alexis 
and Austin.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleges to join me in memorializing the life 
of John J. Areias. His outstanding character as an entrepreneur, family 
man, and friend will be remembered fondly by those who knew him. He was 
a leader in California's agricultural community and a role model for 
the people of the San Joaquin Valley. His life is a testament to the 
immigrant's story, which is the strength of the American dream. I join 
John's family in honoring his life, love for our community, and our 
country

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