[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 171 (Tuesday, November 19, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1165-E1166]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   MOURNING THE LOSS OF DON VALPREDO

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. VINCE FONG

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 19, 2024

  Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to mourn the passing of my friend 
Donald John Valpredo, a respected member of our community and a pillar 
of modern agriculture.
  Mr. Valpredo passed away on October 31, 2024, at the age of 85, 
leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, determination,

[[Page E1166]]

and family pride. Whether through the many companies he founded and 
managed or as a respected horseman, Don's loss is deeply felt by all 
who knew him.
  Born on January 5, 1939, to Jeanne and John Valpredo of Mettler, 
California, Don inherited a proud Italian heritage, fitting his later 
affectionate moniker of ``The Don'' or ``El Don.'' His father had 
likely been the first pioneer to drill deep enough to find water in the 
Mettler area and the Valpredos established their roots there. After Don 
graduated from Garces Memorial High School, he then attended the 
University of California, Davis, where he graduated with a degree in 
Agronomy. He then went to serve our country in the U.S. Coast Guard, 
which, coupled with its premier academic training, provided a firm 
foundation to become a true visionary of agricultural excellence in 
Kern County.
  Returning to Mettler after his service, Don partnered with his 
father, John, in farming. Don was gifted and soon found himself serving 
in a variety of executive roles. He served as President of Ridge 
Ginning Company and became an aggressive entrepreneur by founding Kern 
Ridge Growers, Val-Mar Farms, Bako Sweet, and Country Sweet Produce, 
among other companies. As a mark of the prevailing Valpredo family 
legacy, Don's son, Michael, was also a founder of Country Sweet Produce 
and continues to serve as its President. Under Don's leadership, his 
farms have grown to now produce over 20 crops year-round across 
thousands of acres. His businesses today are marked by innovations like 
water conservation, recycling, and employee co-ownership.
  Nor can we forget Don's lifelong passion for horses, which adhered to 
him after the first horse he bred won her first race. Don's leadership 
within the horseracing industry shaped the California 
ThoroughbredBreeders Association (CTBA). Don served as CTBA President 
four times and once as chairman. In 2017, Don was inducted into the 
CTBA Hall of Fame for his forty years dedicated to building the sport 
and the California Cup Sprint. His work in helping to establish the 
California Cup Sprint--which was later renamed in his honor and is held 
at Santa Anita Park every January--stands as a lasting tribute to his 
leadership in developing this industry and racing community in 
California. Don served as a Commissioner and Vice-Chairman of the 
California Horse Racing Board, director of the Thoroughbred Owners of 
California for thirteen years, and served on the board of directors of 
the Breeders' Cup. Yet Don was not only a leader in equine 
associations, but also a winner of competitions. Don's `Soviet Problem' 
won Calbred Horse of the Year in 1994, and he would always look back 
fondly on his time with that special steed.
  Don is survived by his wife Sally, son Michael, daughters Natalia 
Fritz and Alexis Mosely, and seven grandchildren. Amanda and I send our 
condolences to this incredible family who have lost a great patriarch 
and leader.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me as we celebrate Don 
Valpredo's amazing life and legacy. From the fields of Mettler to the 
racetrack at Santa Anita Park, Don Valpredo will be dearly missed.

                          ____________________