[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E33]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING RICHARD ROMINGER

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 12, 2021

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of 
Richard Rominger and his legacy as a champion of rural communities and 
American farmers. Patti and I are deeply saddened by Richard's passing, 
and our hearts are with Evelyn and their family during this difficult 
time. I called Rich's cell phone the morning he passed away. He did not 
answer. I've called that number hundreds of times seeking advice and 
counsel, and I have always come away from the conversation with a gem 
of wisdom, a better solution to a problem, encouragement, and a 
precious gift of friendship. Not this time. My call was answered by his 
son confirming Richard Rominger's death. I'll keep Rich's number. He 
won't answer, but just calling will encourage me to stay true to the 
lessons he taught me. I know that Rich treated everyone with the same 
respect and desire to help. Perhaps they will keep that number, too.
  Richard and Evelyn Rominger served in President Bill Clinton's 
administration with Patti and I. Richard was Deputy Secretary of the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Patti ran the Foreign Agriculture 
Service's food and famine programs. Richard was always the bulwark of 
support for the American family farmer. He knew the challenges facing 
farm families, and he knew how to use government to improve their lot. 
During the Clinton years the Department of Agriculture and Department 
of Interior, where I was also Deputy, teamed up to produce seminal 
studies on the effects of Climate Change, create the first Tahoe 
Summit, address droughts, support land conservation efforts nationwide, 
attack invasive species, and protect America's great forest.
  Governor Jerry Brown recognized Richard's potential as a problem 
solver when he appointed Richard to serve as the Secretary of the 
California Department of Agriculture. A problem-solver was necessary 
with Medflies, drought, water wars, and agricultural labor problems in 
abundance. Undaunted by these challenges, Rominger steered a wise 
course that yielded a bumper crop of solutions.
  Following his time in government, Richard returned to Winters--where 
he was raised--to continue his work supporting the U.S. agriculture 
industry. Richard was named Agriculturalist of the Year by the 
California State Fair and received a Distinguished Service Award from 
the California Farm Bureau Federation for his lifelong commitment to 
the agricultural community.
  Richard was a dear friend for whom I have the deepest respect and 
admiration. His life's work has had an indelible positive impact on our 
state and nation, and he will be deeply missed. Patti and I send our 
condolences to Evelyn and the Rominger family.

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