[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 66 (Friday, April 16, 2021)]
[House]
[Page H1880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1315
                  HONORING THE LIFE OF DENNIS CAPRARA

  (Mr. PANETTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PANETTA. Madam Speaker, the Salad Bowl of the world lost a key 
ingredient this week with the sudden passing of Dennis Caprara. In his 
74 years, Dennis contributed so much to our leading industry of 
agriculture and our fundamental identity in the Salinas Valley.
  A true local boy, Dennis grew up in Gonzales, grew fond of farming, 
and grew to appreciate the hard work and sound judgment necessary to 
succeed in agriculture.
  Starting RC Farms and RC Packing, Dennis and his family became the 
definition of what it means to be a successful family farm.
  But Dennis was not just a farmer, he was a leader; chairman of the 
Grower-Shipper Association, director of the Salinas Valley River 
Coalition, and a distinguished fellow at a local college.
  Dennis also gave back to the community that gave him so much; as a 
member of the Swiss Rifle Club, and always attending the local 
livestock auctions where he and his wife, Janice, were active bidders, 
supporting the kids of 4H and FFA.
  Dennis was a friend and a mentor to many, including myself. And 
although he often fondly called me a donkey, not necessarily referring 
to my political party, he offered so much more to those who knew him, 
who worked with him, who listened to him, and who loved him.
  Madam Speaker, today we mourn the loss of Dennis Caprara. But because 
of Dennis, every day we realize that the Salad Bowl of life tastes so 
good, not just because of its products, but also because of its people.

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