[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 116 (Thursday, July 11, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E903-E904]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOHN GIUMARRA, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KEVIN McCARTHY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 11, 2019

  Mr. McCARTHY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of John 
G. Giumarra, Jr., who passed away on June 30, 2019 at the age of 78. 
John was a well-respected businessman not only in Kern County, but 
throughout California.
  Born to a family that had been growing grapes in California since 
1922, John joined the family business at an early age. John earned his 
bachelor's degree from University of California, Berkeley, and went on 
to earn his Juris Doctor from Stanford Law, working as the Book Review 
Editor of the Stanford Law Review. He initially moved to Newport Beach 
to work for a law firm, but the family business quickly drew him back 
to Bakersfield. There, John applied his legal acumen in assisting his 
father with the company that bears their family name--Giumarra 
Vineyards. Working as the in-house counsel, John played a critical role 
in developing contracts with other businesses, as well as playing a 
lead role in working with U.S. and foreign government officials to 
expand American grape exports.
  For years, John worked tirelessly, embracing an increasingly 
important role as the face of his family business. Through his 
dedication, John transformed Giumarra Vineyards into an 
internationally-known brand. A pioneer in viticulture, John imported 
Chilean grapes in the 1980's for use in Giumarra Vineyards products 
during the off season in the U.S., a move that bolstered the company's 
market share and served to enhance its rapidly-growing footprint.

[[Page E904]]

In 2015, John became President of Giumarra Vineyards.
  John was also extremely active in the grape industry; for 33 years, 
John served as both the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the 
Executive Chairman of the California Table Grape Commission. He served 
as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the California Grape and 
Tree Fruit League, as well as on the Board of Directors of both the 
United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association and the Produce Marketing 
Association.
  In addition to his dedication to leading and growing the grape 
industry, John was also committed to raising money for education, 
serving as the Chairman of the annual California State University, 
Bakersfield Athletics Spring BBQ, raising millions of dollars since he 
was named chairman back in 1972.
  Those who knew John will fondly remember him as a great mentor, a 
consummate professional, tireless advocate for the grape industry, and 
a dedicated family man. I am proud to have known him and been able to 
call John a friend. I will miss his counsel and sage advice on the 
important issues facing the grape industry and agriculture in our 
community, state, and across the country.
  John is survived by his wife, Pamela, his five children, John III, 
Randy and his wife Barri, Juliana and her husband Clayton, Joseph, 
Jillian and her husband Morgan, and his 15 grandchildren. On behalf of 
Kern County and the 23rd Congressional District of California, I want 
to extend my condolences to the entire Giumarra family. John will be 
missed, but he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to serve as an 
inspiration and shape an industry for years to come.

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