[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 117 (Thursday, July 12, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING AL GERHARDT

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 12, 2018

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with the 
Honorable Jared Huffman to honor Al Gerhardt for his lifetime 
commitment to Sonoma County agriculture and to recognize his 
unparalleled contributions to our farming community.
  Mr. Gerhardt was born in 1938 and grew up in Sebastopol, California 
and attended Green Valley School. He graduated from Analy High School 
and was a member of the school's chapter of Future Farmers of America 
(FFA). Mr. Gerhardt was married to Pat Jesse from 1963 until she passed 
away. They had four children, Kathe, Gerry, Diana and the late Anna 
Marie. In 2000, he married Jan Smith and they moved to the family ranch 
near Occidental, California.
  Mr. Gerhardt served on the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Board of 
Directors for sixteen years. While on the Board, he was on many 
committees, including agriculture education, membership and water. Mr. 
Gerhardt was known for his attention to detail and dedication to the 
Farm Bureau. He read the monthly Board packets cover to cover to ensure 
he was ready to discuss the issues facing Sonoma County farmers and 
ranchers and rarely missed a meeting.
  Agriculture was a passion and community involvement was a lifestyle 
for Mr. Gerhardt. His dedication to our farming community is a main 
reason agriculture is still vital to Sonoma County's identity. Mr. 
Gerhardt was a supporter of FFA and 4-H and loved to support and 
encourage young farmers. He was a founder and director of the North 
Coast Livestock Protective Association and was a Commissioner on the 
County of Sonoma's Fish and Wildlife Commission. He was also a member 
of the Sonoma County Taxpayers Association and the Sonoma County 
Trailblazers. Mr. Gerhardt was an active member of St. Philip's 
Catholic Church in Occidental, California and was a committed volunteer 
for the Rural Food Program of St. Philip and St. Teresa Parish.
  Mr. Speaker, Al Gerhardt was always willing to lend a hand and help 
our community flourish. He was a devoted steward of the land and was 
dedicated to preserving Sonoma County's agricultural integrity and 
history. It is therefore fitting and proper that we honor him here 
today.

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