[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H231-H238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE HONORABLE DOUG LaMALFA
(Under the Speaker's announced policy of January 3, 2025, Mr. Moore
of Utah was recognized for 60 minutes as the designee of the majority
leader.)
General Leave
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the topic of this Special
Order.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Utah?
There was no objection.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened and honored at the same
time to be able to host, alongside my California colleagues, a special
hour dedicated to the memory of Congressman Doug LaMalfa from
California.
As I looked at some of my notes here of the amazing things that he
had accomplished and who he was, I realized that we are going to hear
that over the next hour.
The thing that my team and I were reflecting on earlier today, and
all I wanted to share as we kick off this memorial to an amazing man,
was that, as vice chair, I get to, every week, host an evening of floor
time for my colleagues on a myriad of topics. Doug LaMalfa was here
every single time. Every time we needed him to be here, he was here,
but he was here whether we asked him or not. Most times, he was the
only one.
Yet tonight, when I asked my colleagues if they wanted to share a
message on Doug, the reverse: It is a packed house.
That is all I wanted to share, to think about the legacy that he has
left and the importance that he has to so many of our colleagues. He
was always here for me, and we are all here today for his family. They
are hopefully able to take some comfort and solace in his memory as we
share this.
We have a lot of folks who want to share a message, and we are going
to kick it right off. I am just going to go around the room and start
calling on people as we move forward.
We are going to first hear, of course, from the California
delegation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert).
Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Speaker, the sudden passing of our close friend and
colleague, Doug LaMalfa, has caused both shock and sadness throughout
the entire House of Representatives. We lost a friend and a colleague.
His northern Californian constituents lost their tireless advocate in
the House.
Most tragically, his family lost a husband, a father, and a
grandfather.
Doug was a proud family man. He and his wife, Jill, have four
beautiful children. He just recently became a grandfather.
Doug was a fourth-generation rice farmer and a contributor to our
State's important role of producing the food that sustains America. His
experience as a farmer provided the foundation for his future as a
legislator, both in Sacramento and here in Washington, D.C.
Mr. Speaker, it comes as no surprise that in 2024, Doug was
unanimously elected to serve as the chairman of the Congressional
Western Caucus, one of the largest congressional membership groups on
Capitol Hill, focusing on rural policy and issues that affect the West
and beyond.
Doug left an indelible mark on this institution and the people whom
he got to know along the way. For those who knew him, they understood
his unique love of nicknames, movie quotes, and NASCAR. They understood
his dislike of food waste, smartphones, and ketchup on hot dogs.
Doug's sense of humor, collegial manner, and expertise will be sorely
missed. While he is no longer with us, Doug's significant contributions
to agricultural and rural policies will endure long after his passing.
I will very much miss my friend and my colleague. My thoughts and
prayers are with his wife, Jill; the entire LaMalfa family; his
friends; and his staff.
God bless you, Doug.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his
remarks.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
McClintock), a distinguished colleague and very close friend of Mr.
LaMalfa.
Mr. McCLINTOCK. Mr. Speaker, the Romans had a saying: ``Time is
fleeting, remember death''; ``Tempus fugit, memento mori.'' It reminds
us that life is not a gift. It is just a loan, and when it comes due,
all that matters is what we have given to others.
Doug LaMalfa was the kindest and most sincere person I have
encountered in more than 40 years of public service. He passionately
defended the working men and women of the rural community where he was
born and raised and grew up, but he always did it with a good-natured
smile and a quiet, respectful manner.
Just 3 weeks ago, on December 15, I took my seat on an early
Washington-bound flight from Sacramento, about eight rows behind Doug.
When I looked up, he was standing there in the aisle with an
outstretched hand. He leaned over, and he quietly said to me: Tom, I
know this is a hard day for you, and I want you to know that my prayers
are with you and Lori.
You see, that was the fourth anniversary of my dear wife Lori's
death, and how he knew that, remembered it, and offered such warm
comfort on such a cold morning tells you what a truly caring and
wonderful man he was. And now he is gone, for time is fleeting.
Yet, death can't take the kindnesses and memories that he gave us
all, or the wisdom, common sense, and achievements that he gave our
country. Our Nation, our State, and our community have all suffered an
irreplaceable loss, and rural America has lost its most tireless and
effective advocate. Most of all, we have lost a good man, a very good
man.
To his family, I can only say that you are not alone in your grief.
Your community and your country grieve with you.
[[Page H232]]
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Valadao).
Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my dear friend,
fellow farmer, and colleague, Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
I have known Doug for about 16 years, going back to our time together
in the State legislature. From day one, his commitment to the people of
northern California, especially those in agricultural communities, was
clear.
In Congress, Doug was one of the fiercest advocates for wildfire
mitigation, disaster recovery, California water issues, and farmers and
ranchers who keep this country fed.
As chairman of the Western Caucus, he fought tirelessly for domestic
energy production, public land access, and rural communities that way
too often get overlooked.
Beyond his lasting legacy as a public official, Doug was my friend.
We served together in the State legislature, and one year, on my
birthday, he stopped by my office, not with a card but with a bag of
rice and just a little Post-it Note that said: Happy birthday.
I brought that bag home, gave it to my mom, and she made Portuguese
rice pudding for him, and I brought it back. The next week, he brought
me another bag of rice, and still to this day brought up that he wanted
more. Doug just had one of those senses of humor that you loved.
Doug was a friend to all and someone you could always count on for
leadership, loyalty, and just a good laugh. He will be deeply missed in
the Halls of Congress.
My prayers are with his wife, Jill, his children, and all of his
family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, this is going to be a special hour,
thanks to the gentleman from California.
Mr. Speaker, I yield time to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Kim).
Mrs. KIM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a very heavy heart to honor
our colleague Doug LaMalfa.
Doug was larger than life, but what I will remember most is how he
lived big in the small moments with warmth, attention to detail, and
genuine kindness.
Doug was the only Member of Congress who ever called me by my Korean
name, Kim Young Oak. He didn't have to remember it. He never needed to
do that, but that small, thoughtful gesture meant the world to me and
spoke volumes about who Doug was.
{time} 1800
Doug was a strong, conservative leader who served with a deep love
for our country and brought the heartland to Washington, not the other
way around.
As a fourth-generation rice farmer, he never forgot who he worked
for--farmers, families, and rural communities who were too often
ignored by Washington.
He will be missed. We will all miss him. My heart is with his family,
his staff, and all who are mourning this tremendous loss.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. (English translation of the statements made in
Korean is as follows:)
Young Oak Kim Sister
Thank you!
You did well!
You did well!
Gim Yeong-ok uiwon-nim
Gamsahamnida
Sugohasyeosseumnida
Sugohasyeosseumnida Take that, Doug.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Obernolte).
Mr. OBERNOLTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise with an incredibly heavy heart to
honor the life of my friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
Doug was one of the most effective Members of this Chamber. He was
deeply passionate about issues that affected his constituents in
northern California.
As most of the Members of this Chamber know, we all have little silos
where people come to us for advice. I always could count on Doug to
give me the straight scoop on anything related to water, agriculture,
or rural America. That is why we elected him as the chairman of the
Western Caucus 2 years ago, and he did a phenomenal job in that role. I
will miss his service there.
I will also miss the man that he was. He was an incredibly decent
man, a man of exceptionally high moral character. Everyone that knew
Doug would remark on his authenticity. When you met Doug, what you saw
is what you got. He was a man of deep kindness, never had a cruel or
unkind word for anyone in the years that I knew him. He was a man of
incredible humility, and anyone in this Chamber knows that we could use
some more of that in here.
Above all, Mr. Speaker, I will miss my friend. I will miss our
conversations about cars. He was a car guy; I am a car guy. I would
tease him every summer when we came back into session because he was
restoring a De Tomaso Pantera, and I would ask him: Doug, what progress
did you make on the Pantera this summer? He would hang his head and
say: Nothing.
On this playing Galaga with him, a little known fact about Doug
LaMalfa, he was a fierce competitor at Galaga. Above all, I will miss
our conversations.
I am honored to be here joining my colleagues in saying farewell to
Doug and to honor his life. Godspeed to my friend, Doug. We will miss
him.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Fong).
Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy of
my friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa.
Doug was a steadfast champion of rural California and for the issues
that matter most to millions of Americans across the West, starting in
the California legislature to the Halls of Congress.
He fought for water storage and forest management. He fought for
energy abundance. He fought for the farmer. He fought for common sense.
I had the privilege of serving alongside him on the Committee for
Transportation and Infrastructure and as a fellow member of the Western
Caucus during his time as chairman. He would always greet me with a big
smile by the nickname ``The Fongressman.''
Over the years, I was fortunate to be mentored by Doug. He was a
great role model and friend. His guidance, leadership, and example left
a lasting impact on me and on so many others who had the honor of
working with him.
Doug will be remembered for his deep love for his family, his faith
and core principles, his unwavering dedication to his community, his
humility, and his enduring legacy as a leader and lawmaker.
I am personally grateful for his mentorship and know he will be
profoundly missed by all who knew him.
I certainly will vow to honor Doug's memory by continuing to champion
the values that we both share that unite California's Central Valley to
the rural communities like Doug's in northern California.
I will continue fighting for rural priorities in Congress just as
Doug did.
Amanda and I are praying for his wife, Jill; his family and loved
ones; and his staff during this difficult time. His absence leaves a
void that will never truly be filled.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Kiley).
Mr. KILEY of California. Mr. Speaker, Doug LaMalfa was my neighbor.
Our districts bordered one another. This was true during my time in the
State legislature as well.
The region of our State that he represented is an area where people
often feel like their voices are not heard in the corridors of power,
in places like Sacramento and Washington, D.C.
Doug LaMalfa made it his mission to make sure that their voices were
heard. He used every opportunity he had to make sure their voices were
heard, but he didn't just speak for the communities that he
represented. He advocated, and he used every policy tool available to
see that their values were reflected in policy here. He was a leader in
our delegation and in the whole Chamber on issues like water, forest
management, and agriculture, and that leadership, of course, culminated
in his chairmanship of the Western Caucus, the second largest caucus in
the entire House of Representatives.
I know we are all still so shocked and in grief over his loss, but
Doug LaMalfa's legacy in the North State will be felt for generations
to come.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona
[[Page H233]]
(Mr. Biggs), the area also known as southwestern-ish California.
Mr. BIGGS of Arizona. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to
honor the life and legacy of my friend and colleague, Congressman Doug
LaMalfa.
As you know, Doug was a happy warrior who cared immensely about his
country, his State, and the people he served. A few years ago, he took
time out of his busy schedule to travel with me to Arizona to better
understand the border crisis and the serious impact it was having on my
State as well as his own. Doug was always willing to listen, learn, and
engage on the issues that matter most. He was the most curious man.
I thoroughly enjoyed working with him on a wide range of policies and
challenges that uniquely affect the West and the hardworking
communities we both represent.
Doug was a true friend. He will be deeply missed in this Congress and
beyond. My team and I continue to pray for Doug, his family, and for
all who loved him during this particularly difficult time.
May God bless Doug LaMalfa's memory and may he rest in peace.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Issa).
Mr. ISSA. Mr. Speaker, a lot can be said about my friend and
colleague, my Western Caucus chair, but today was a special day for us.
We had lunch today as California members, and Doug paid for it because
every week somebody sponsors it. His death was so sudden that it
literally had been prepaid. It arrived, and we sat there thinking of
the person who had the best joke every week, who had a constant,
positive sense of humor, even about dire times.
We talked not long ago about how much he got done during the shutdown
and what it was like to actually meet with his constituents multiple
days in a row, day after day. That was Doug LaMalfa--a farmer, a family
man, but most importantly, somebody that could always find the positive
and the funny about whatever we were doing.
We are a body of 431 right now. At our best, we are a body of 435. It
is the one that we are missing that can make a difference, and that was
Doug. He will be missed for a very long time by all of us.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, we will continue on to the great
State of California with bipartisan voices in support and in
remembering Mr. LaMalfa.
I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Lofgren).
Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, there is mourning across the aisle and
across the State of California. I chair the California Democratic
delegation, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of Doug LaMalfa. It
was a pleasure to serve with Doug since his election in 2013.
He was a man who cared so deeply for the communities that he
represented in California's First District. As has been said, he is a
fourth-generation rice farmer. He was one of the strongest voices in
this body for rural America because he knew firsthand the struggles
that our agricultural sectors were facing.
He and I worked very closely together on the bipartisan Farm
Workforce Modernization Act which would provide stabilization for
farmworkers, farmers, and the ag sector, and he added so much because
he really knew how farming worked and what would work and what wouldn't
work, and he was a collaborator.
We also introduced together the bipartisan Utility Resilience and
Reliability Act that really was commonsense safety standards to
minimize power outages.
{time} 1810
Now, Doug and I didn't agree on everything. I am a proud Democrat. He
was a proud Republican, but he was always approachable, and he was a
colleague with whom you could disagree without being disagreeable. It
is a quality that Members should strive to emulate here.
He was a good man, friendly, with a sense of humor, a gentle giant.
Our deepest condolences are with his wife, Jill; their children; and
his staff. It always hurts to lose a friend and a colleague, but I know
that Doug's legacy will be remembered by all of us and the Californians
he so proudly served and served with.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Huffman), a gentleman on the Natural Resources
Committee, a committee that Mr. LaMalfa cared so much about.
Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, there were few people in the Congress that
tangled with Doug LaMalfa more than me. There is probably some
competition for that honor among House Democrats, but I was certainly
right up there.
Yet, I can tell you as we honor Doug today, I know plenty of people
who disagreed with him, but I don't know anyone that disliked him. When
you hear these qualities about his authenticity, his warm sense of
humor, just how relatable he was, that is all very, very true.
I go back almost 20 years with Doug because we were in the State
legislature together. A lot has been said about his sense of humor,
which is also very, very true. I want to just share something that I
always think of with Doug because it speaks to the type of humor which
is really, I think, something that tells you about the man. There are
plenty of people who have a great sense of humor at other people's
expense. Doug LaMalfa had a very gentle and disarming sense of humor.
One of our colleagues together in the State assembly was our former
colleague and the current mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass. I will
always remember how Doug used to crack her and me up by calling her
Bassomatic. That was the nickname. His staffers back here are far too
young to remember the ``Saturday Night Live'' skit in which Dan Aykroyd
puts a bass in a blender and makes this gross smoothie and drinks it.
It was funny, and that is the kind of thing that Doug would pull up
spontaneously and crack everyone up. I loved that.
I will tell you, Karen Bass loved it too. She liked it so much that
she went up to Doug's district when she became speaker of the assembly,
and I remember he just not only welcomed her there--this is a person he
had very little in common with, a southern California urban African-
American member that voted together with him almost never, but Doug
gave her the VIP tour of his farm and of the Sacramento Valley and rice
country. He got her up in a combine and had her do things that I am
sure she will never forget. I think he loved every minute of that.
That is how I am going remember Doug. He was a great guy. I am
certainly thinking and sending best wishes to his family and everyone
who loved him.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. The list is very long of individuals on this side
of the aisle that like to tangle with the ranking member himself as
well but also very much like him. Thank you for those awesome words.
I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr. Thompson), my colleague
on the Ways and Means Committee.
Mr. THOMPSON of California. I thank the gentleman for yielding and I
thank him especially for holding this Special Order hour for someone
who we are all going to miss. He was a really great guy.
I am honored to be able to reflect a little bit on the life and the
service of an extremely dedicated Member of Congress, Doug LaMalfa.
I served northern California alongside Doug from the day that he was
sworn in to this body. His area was an area that I represented when I
was in the State senate. In Congress, we represented neighboring
regions of our State. We shared many of the same challenges and worked
together on issues that matter deeply to the people that we both
served.
I was proud to work with him on bipartisan efforts to support our
farmers and ranchers, to strengthen wildfire prevention, to build Sites
Reservoir, and to address the growing home insurance crisis facing
families across all of northern California.
He and I worked together to deliver over $500 million in tax relief
to fire victims in our district that lost their homes then had to sue
in order to get the financial relief to rebuild their homes only to
find out that they were going to be taxed on that money that they got
in the suit, which wasn't in itself enough to even rebuild their homes.
He was caring, and he was a terrific fighter for the folks that we
worked for in delivering this.
[[Page H234]]
He believed in practical solutions, and I always respected and
appreciated his collaboration on the issues important to our
constituents.
I am saddened by the loss of my longtime colleague and friend. Jan
and I extend our deepest condolences and keep Doug's wife, Jill; their
children; their grandchild; and his devoted staff in our prayers during
this very difficult time. I thank the gentleman again for hosting this
Special Order hour.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Costa).
Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time to
do what is fitting and appropriate, and that is, honor the life of our
colleague, a life well lived, a Member of the House of Representatives
who did such a good job on behalf of his constituents who he
represented faithfully since coming to Congress in 2013.
Doug and I knew each other before then. We had interactions on a
number of issues that we were mutually passionate about beginning with
rural California and people who live in rural areas, which both
reflected his and my background.
He, perhaps, represented if not the, one of the largest congressional
districts by geography in California, a lot of northern and eastern
California. A lot of my colleagues when they think about California
they think of Los Angeles or the Bay Area, but we have parts of
California where the communities are a white spot in the middle of a
major highway or, you know, are 400, 600 people.
Doug was a Member's Member and a Representative who believed that his
entire constituency was his passion. He would go to some of those
remote areas to indicate and to listen on how he could be a better
Representative and make their views known here in our Nation's Capital.
I served with him the entire time that I have been on the House
Agriculture Committee, three different farm bill reauthorizations, and
he was always willing to meet halfway. Of course, we understood the ag
issues affecting California, and he was very proud, very proud to
represent the upper Sacramento River Valley and all the wonderful
people there.
When disaster struck his district with the wildfires, he was among
the first to be there with the challenges of some of the floods in Lake
Oroville and Yuba areas. He was there. He reminds us why we serve: not
only the passion, but the desire always to put our constituents first
and to help people. Let that be a role model for all of us.
Doug, we miss you. Doug had a life well lived. He was a person who
cared passionately about our country and about the people's House. May
you rest in peace. I give my condolences to your wife and your family.
I thank all of you for giving us an opportunity to serve with our
friend, Doug LaMalfa.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. I yield to the gentleman from California (Mr.
Garamendi), our final Californian for the evening.
{time} 1820
Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I
look at the photo and say, Doug, for 12 years, you and I represented
the Sacramento River. We developed a friendship based upon the working
part, but mostly upon sharing, sharing things. We would get on the
airplane to fly to Washington, and you had your seat all the time. We
said hello and talked about what was coming and then going home. It was
a friendship that was deep and meaningful. There was plenty of work to
do.
The Sacramento River is the most important river in California after
the Colorado. It was yours. You had the upper, and I had the lower part
of it. Together, we worked to protect the river, to protect the
farmers, and to protect the flow of water. It is good work, and you did
a good job. You were good at representing your district and
representing the very complex issues.
I remember standing on one of the levees, and you were talking about
your rice field. I said, Doug, let me talk about my cows in my fields.
He said, Okay, you go ahead, but I am going to go first.
You shared your knowledge with me and with others. You were good. You
were really good at the work you did for your people. You were a
quality Representative.
I miss you. I miss the work that we did together on the Sacramento
River Valley and all the issues that we had. It is a long list, and it
would take another hour to go through them all.
I miss you, and Patti misses you because she would get up from her
seat and go back to your seat, which you always had on that plane, and
the two of you would talk and share.
I know your family misses you. I know your constituents miss you.
Doug LaMalfa, you are going to be remembered by those of us who have
had the honor of working with you.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Minnesota (Mr. Stauber), who is a close friend and colleague on the
Natural Resources Committee.
Mr. STAUBER. Mr. Speaker, this week started off very difficult with
losing Representative LaMalfa. I had the privilege of serving with him
for 7 years on the Natural Resources Committee. He also chaired the
Western Caucus this past year. He did a wonderful job.
He was that gentle giant, Mr. Speaker, that you could always count
on. He was a person of reason, but as you got to know Doug, Mr.
Speaker, he was an even better person. He was a humble, Christian,
faithful person.
Mr. Speaker, we need more of that in this body, especially now.
We know that Doug is with his Savior. We know that his Savior chose
this time earlier this week, but Doug is resting in eternity with
Almighty God, his Savior, Jesus Christ.
To his wife, Jill, I thank her for allowing him to serve not only in
the California Legislature but here in this body. I thank her for
allowing him to travel, as Mr. Garamendi just said, all that way to and
from the great State of California. After those long trips, he would
come in, and you knew on Monday or Tuesday nights, the start of the
session, when he would come in here wearing some tattered clothes. He
was a little bit disheveled, but he had had a long day.
He was here for the people of his district, and he left a legacy that
we all should cherish, honor, and remember.
That is why we are here today, Mr. Speaker. We are honoring Doug. He
always had a nickname for every one of us.
Doug, I know you are resting in peace for eternity, but I thank you
for serving this great Nation. I thank you for serving the great State
of California in the way you did. You left a legacy. You helped all of
us become better Representatives.
To Jill, our thoughts and prayers are with her and her four children.
God bless you and take care of your family.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Hurd).
Mr. HURD of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, our colleague Doug LaMalfa passed
away on Monday, and I want to take just a minute--he would have liked
that--to honor him the best way that I know how: plainly.
Doug believed that we should speak clearly, not in jargon. He had a
whiteboard in his office labeled unacceptable words, and he meant it.
The words ``stakeholders,'' ``empower,'' and ``equity'' were banned. He
thought government should sound more like the people it serves. He
hated what I called LaMalfa-isms, overcomplicated government
explanations for simple things, like saying that the transportation
infrastructure is undergoing a temporary operational suspension pending
structural optimization instead of just saying that the bridge is
closed for repairs.
Doug loved this institution. He loved the West. He loved 1-minute
speeches. I will miss his humor, his directness, and the clarity he
brought to a town that too often hides behind big words. May he rest in
peace.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Mississippi (Mr. Guest).
Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of my
friend Doug LaMalfa, whom I would refer to as the gentle giant.
Doug was known by all for his love of agriculture and the great
outdoors. As chairman of the Western Caucus and as a California
Republican, he was a rare breed on Capitol Hill. His time will always
be remembered for his love of this great Republic, a government that he
believed in, the Founding Fathers, and the principles of government of
the
[[Page H235]]
people, by the people, and for the people.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that there is a Scripture in the Old Testament
that captures the impact that Doug had on the lives of his friends and
colleagues. It is Proverbs 27:17. It says: ``As iron sharpens iron, so
one man sharpens another.''
Doug made all those who knew him better people, and his impact will
live on long after his passing. I know he will be missed by all, and my
prayers are with his family and friends.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from
Hawaii (Ms. Tokuda).
Ms. TOKUDA. Mr. Speaker, I chuckled when Ken mentioned pet peeves and
names. We need to add quinoa and potatoes to that list. He definitely
didn't like those. For the record, my nickname was Barracuda, so figure
that one out.
God works in mysterious ways. In the face of disaster, I found a
friend in Doug. Doug and I didn't agree on a lot of things, but we
always showed up for each other. We cosponsored bills, worked on
disaster funding and rural health, and traded a lot of jabs and took
funny pictures of each other in our Agriculture Committee hearings. I
gave him Spam musubis, and he brought me my favorite lemon almonds from
Oroville.
I will never forget November 8, 2023. Doug stood here on this floor,
and he marked 5 years since the Camp fire. I was marking 3 months since
the Lahaina fire in Maui. He came up to me and gave me a hug after, and
he said: We are going to get through this together.
I believed him. I still do. He gave me hope.
Doug and I are two very different people. It would have been the most
unlikely of friendships, except that he was one of the kindest, most
gentle, and genuine people I have ever met.
I don't know about you, Mr. Speaker, but the House floor feels a
little less warm and a bit empty without Doug, but maybe I just miss my
friend.
To his wife, Jill, and the LaMalfa ``family''; ``family,'' our
prayers, our aloha, and our love are with you.
May you rest in aloha, my friend, until we meet again.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mahalo to the gentlewoman from Hawaii. That is
``thank you'' for the stenographers who need clarification on the
foreign languages today.
Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Mann).
Mr. MANN. Mr. Speaker, on Tuesday, this Chamber lost a kind friend,
loving husband, proud father, and tireless advocate for rural America
and the Western United States.
Doug LaMalfa brought joy and sincerity into the Halls of Congress
every single day and fought for the good of northern California.
I first met Doug in freshman orientation. Of course, he was a more
senior Member than I was, but we go to leadership elections, and
because ``LaMalfa'' was near ``Mann'' in the alphabet, I sat right
behind Doug, who quickly introduced himself to me, found out I was from
Kansas, and spent 3 minutes digging through his phone to find pictures
of a road trip that he took in one of his classic cars right through
Kansas. Seven minutes later, I walked away from Doug very aware of all
the stops that he had made in my great State. From that moment on, I
was always the Mann from Kansas.
During our time together on the House Agriculture Committee, Doug
routinely brought the priorities of farmers and ranchers in his
district directly into committee hearings and roundtables. His
multigenerational family farm grounded him and his beliefs, making him
an even better advocate for the abundant agricultural producers of
California's First District.
Audrey and I are praying for Doug's loved ones as they grieve through
this tragedy.
Psalm 34:18 says: ``The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he
rescues those whose spirits are crushed.'' It is our prayer that Doug's
family, friends, and team would feel that closeness as they honor, and
we all honor, his life and legacy.
{time} 1830
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I now yield to the gentlewoman from
Illinois (Mrs. Miller).
Mrs. MILLER of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, Doug was one of the first
friends that I made when I joined the Agriculture Committee back in
2021.
I soon learned that we had a lot in common. We are both fourth-
generation family farmers with a shared love for the land which we call
home. Doug was also one of the first Members to join my Congressional
Family Caucus and was a strong advocate for parents and children.
One of my funny memories was somehow we were having a conversation
about what we would do if we had to bug out of D.C., and he offered to
give me a ride in his classic Cadillac--I guess he had it here--and
give me a ride to Illinois, as he headed to California.
I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. Mr. Speaker, because
Doug accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior, he is now in the presence of
the Lord.
I am praying for his wife, Jill, and their children. May they receive
comfort from Revelation 21:4 and the promise that: ``He will wipe away
every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall
there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things
have passed away.''
We thank Doug for his friendship, and we will carry on with the work
that he started. He will be missed.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Tennessee (Mr. Rose).
Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding
and for arranging this Special Order.
It is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor my friend and
colleague, Representative Doug LaMalfa. He was a true champion for
rural America and a staunch supporter of our Nation's farmers.
I often describe Doug as a gentle giant. You will hear others say
that. He was tall and broad enough for me to assume I better not mess
with this guy. His impact on Washington is just as giant. However, I
suspect many of us will remember his gentle side the most.
Members of this body, including myself, often counted on Doug's
lighthearted comments, for his moments of levity. Doug always handled
himself the way we would all aspire to. He spoke calmly, with
conviction, and with his constituents top of mind.
Representative LaMalfa fought hard for the issues that mattered to
California's First Congressional District and for farmers, broadly,
across our country. As an eighth-generation Tennessee farmer, I found
it easy to relate to Doug, a proud fourth-generation rice farmer.
Throughout our service on the House Ag Committee, I appreciated
having a partner with similar perspective and values as we worked to
set ag policy. I learned quickly to trust his instincts. I will miss
that.
Doug and I were avid competitors. I will miss that as well. Long
before I served with him on the Ag Committee, I came to consider him a
very worthy opponent, and I will miss those days very dearly as I move
forward.
I will close by extending my condolences to his family, including his
wife and children. While Doug will be missed here, I can only imagine
how he will be missed at home. We will be praying for them in the days
ahead.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Rose and Mr. LaMalfa shared that rivalry with
our vice chair time, and I thank him for spending time with us tonight.
On to the great island of Guam, I yield to the gentleman from Guam
(Mr. Moylan).
Mr. MOYLAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service
of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, a dedicated public servant who spent his
career standing up for rural America and the communities he called
home.
A fourth-generation rice farmer from northern California, he brought
a deep understanding of hard work, responsibility, and service into
public life. Those values guided him as he served in the California
State Assembly, the State senate, and later in the United States House
of Representatives.
In Congress, he was a strong and respected voice for agriculture,
natural resources, and rural communities. His colleagues recognized
that commitment when he was unanimously elected chairman of the
Congressional Western Caucus.
I had the honor of working alongside him as a colleague and a friend
on the Natural Resources Committee, where his connection to the land
and the people he represented was always clear.
[[Page H236]]
His work strengthened rural communities and left a lasting mark on
policies that affect them.
My thoughts are with his loved ones and the people of northern
California. May we honor his memory by continuing the work he cared so
deeply about.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Washington (Mr. Newhouse).
Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate Mr. Moore doing this Special
Order this evening. It is truly an honor and a privilege for me to join
my colleagues in honoring the life and the legacy of our good friend,
Doug LaMalfa.
Throughout my time in Congress, I worked hand in hand with Doug on
the many issues that face the American West. He had a love for his
work. He had an understanding as a fellow farmer in the value of the
rural way of life, and he fought to protect all of those things.
When I stepped down as chairman of the Western Caucus, Doug was the
clear choice to take the gavel. He was elected unanimously to lead the
caucus into its next chapter. Truly, Congress and the people of
California's First Congressional District have lost a true advocate for
the issues that we all face.
Mr. Speaker, Doug was much more than a colleague. Doug was a dear
friend. He had a kind soul and a sincere love for all of the people in
his life, as you have heard this evening. While Doug may have towered
over you, as you shook his big hand, you were never small in his eyes.
He was humble, generous, a loyal friend, and liked by everyone he met.
I am going to miss Doug's big grin, as he always greeted me as
Lieutenant Dan. Joan and I are going to truly miss Doug. We send our
deepest condolences to his wife, Jill, and their four kids during this
incredibly difficult time. I thank and ask all of my colleagues on both
sides of the aisle to join us in honoring the great work that Doug
accomplished over the years.
May we preserve his legacy. May we be more like him, and may he rest
in peace.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. I yield now to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr.
Grothman).
Mr. GROTHMAN. Mr. Speaker, when we heard that Doug passed away, I
asked several people the same question. They all agreed overwhelmingly:
If something were to happen to this institution and only 10 of us
survived and we had to build it up from scratch, Doug would be one of
the 10 people we would want to start out with and maybe one of the top
five or maybe even the top one, but everybody around here knows what a
special guy Doug LaMalfa was.
I used to have a lot of discussion with him around this time back in
the parlor, talking about the bills today, how to vote on this or that.
As a politician, you can't resist it when you decide how to vote on
something, what is the politically right thing to do, what politically
will help me get reelected.
I never heard Doug talk that way. Doug always talked about the right
policy, doing the right thing, and then selling it back home, which was
one of the reasons why I think he was so special.
Another thing that was so special, in all the conversations I had
with him, I never remember him saying anything negative about anybody.
I say a lot of negative things about people, so I am really jealous of
a guy like Doug LaMalfa who manages never to say anything bad about
anybody.
One final thing, the other thing I know about Doug is we met every
Thursday morning in a Bible study known as Capitol Ministries, which is
really a Bible study for the erudite Christian, men of deep faith. I
will tell you, Doug--a lot of people talk about it--was just such a
good Christian. So in any event, a great Christian, a great
Congressman, I will never forget Doug LaMalfa.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Georgia
(Mr. Carter).
Mr. CARTER of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor my friend
and my colleague, Congressman Doug LaMalfa.
Doug was always a steady voice for his district and a principled
Member of this House. He was serious about policy, direct in his
approach, and deeply committed to the people he represented, but anyone
who has worked alongside Doug also knows he had quite a sense of humor.
I learned that early on. Doug and I both did a lot of 1 minutes. He
used to intentionally leave this speaking podium raised up to above my
head to remind me of how short I was and how tall he was.
However, that small moment says a lot about Doug. Doug worked hard.
He took his job seriously, and he still found room for good-natured
humor and friendship.
Tonight, we thank Congressman LaMalfa for his service, his
leadership, and the many moments he shared with all of us.
{time} 1840
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Utah
(Ms. Maloy).
Ms. MALOY. Mr. Speaker, it is hard not to smile when I stand here and
talk about Doug LaMalfa, even on this really difficult week because
Doug always made me smile.
From the beginning, he made me feel like I was really special, and I
have learned this week that that is maybe the least special thing about
me because everybody here felt like they were Doug LaMalfa's best
friend.
The night I was sworn in as a Member of Congress, I started getting
texts on my phone from a number I didn't recognize. They were pictures
of me being sworn in from an angle that looked suspiciously like the
House floor, which is against the rules.
I promised him I would never tell anyone where I got those pictures,
so I am not going to tell you, but I still don't know how he had my
number the minute I got sworn in.
He has never missed a chance to get me to sing Utah's State song with
him whether we are in an airport or on the House floor or walking
through the tunnels. He never failed to accompany that with jokes from
``My Cousin Vinny'' about the ``youts.''
I hope that hearing all of these memories and all of these stories
that people have of Doug will comfort his family, his staff, and
everybody else who is missing him at this difficult time because, even
though I am smiling, I am deeply mourning for my friend, Doug LaMalfa.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon
(Mr. Bentz).
Mr. BENTZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Doug LaMalfa, my good friend.
His office is right across from mine and his district is right across
from mine in California from Oregon. This meant we worked together over
and over again on issues involving water to try to save it from the
grasp of misguided environmentalists.
He was a great friend and an incredible advocate for his district. He
did his very best for his constituents. He never gave up. He focused on
wolves, water, forests, and fire. May my good friend find solace in
Heaven and may his family find comfort in knowing he was a man of
integrity, faith, and truly deserving of our honor and our deepest
respect.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Idaho
(Mr. Fulcher).
Mr. FULCHER. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my colleagues this
evening to honor a dear friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa. Being from
the great State of Idaho, the land of famous potatoes, I am the one the
good Congressman referred to as ``Mr. Potato Head.'' I had the
privilege of working with Doug on the pressing issues facing the West
and America's rural communities.
There are no adequate words to express my sorrow upon learning of his
passing, but his legacy and spirit lives on. My prayers are with his
wife, Jill, and the entire LaMalfa family during this time of
unimaginable grief.
Mr. Speaker, from Mr. Potato Head to that rice farmer from
California, here is my final: Way to go, Idaho. God bless.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Oklahoma (Mr. Cole).
Mr. COLE. Mr. Speaker, obviously like all of us here, I am here to
pay tribute to our dear departed friend, Doug LaMalfa.
I first got to know Doug before I ever met him because I had so many
Indian
[[Page H237]]
Tribes from California calling me, saying that we have got this great
guy running for the House of Representatives who we know from the State
legislature in California. He cares about who we are, represents our
interests, and understands the trust responsibility. American Indians,
Native Americans, had no better friend in the House of Representatives
than Doug LaMalfa. Then as I got to know him as a person in addition to
a political figure, I understood why people were so attracted to him:
the sheer decency of the man, the sheer authenticity of the man, and,
frankly, the happy warrior style that he approached every single issue
with.
I don't think I have ever been so shocked in my life when I learned
that we had lost him because I knew he was coming back to fight the
good fight for the things in which he believed, the State which he
loved, and the institution which he cherished.
I will add my voice to the many voices tonight that remind America
that we lost a great American, we lost a great Californian, and we lost
a great human being.
My prayers are with Jill and the family. My thoughts are with his
constituents because they lost somebody who each and every day came to
this floor determined to advance their interest, to protect their
values, and to make this country stronger and better.
Mr. Speaker, I will miss Doug LaMalfa, but I will miss what he stands
for and what he fought for and how he represented those things more
than anything else.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arizona
(Mr. Gosar).
Mr. GOSAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today like every other person with a
heavy heart to honor the life of my dear friend and colleague, the
gentleman, the giant from California, Doug LaMalfa.
Doug was a devoted public servant, a fierce advocate for rural
America and the West, and a man who deeply loved his country and the
people that he was honored to represent.
As a lifelong resident of northern California, he understood the
land, the communities, and the values of his district in a way that
cannot be taught, only lived.
He fought tirelessly for the farmers, the ranchers, and the
communities too often ignored by the coastal elites, and he did so with
candor and conviction and a sense of humor that made even the hardest
days feel better.
Doug was more than a colleague. He was a friend. He was a brother.
His leadership, his wisdom, and his heart for service will be deeply
missed. Doug's legacy of faith and service and love endures.
Lord, accept this gentle giant, this dedicated giant, Doug LaMalfa.
May his family have the goodwill to know that he lies in your comfort.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from North
Carolina (Mr. Rouzer).
Mr. ROUZER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague and friend for
yielding.
Mr. Speaker, boy, do I have many stories that I could tell, but I
will not. No one cared more for the people of California and for
America than Doug. As a fourth-generation rice farmer, he was the true
embodiment of the steward of the land and a great steward of common
sense, too, I might add.
He understood the needs of rural America and had such a genuine
desire to serve the people who lived there. Doug and I worked closely
on many issues, but one of my fondest memories was hosting him in North
Carolina for an agriculture roundtable. He engaged with my
constituents, speaking their language, and truly listening to their
concerns.
Doug LaMalfa stood tall, both literally and figuratively, for the
people who feed this country. To know Doug was an honor and a
privilege. His absence will have a profound void in this Chamber. This
body and the Nation will miss him deeply.
Mr. Speaker, my prayers are with his wife, Jill; his children; his
grandchildren; the entire LaMalfa family, including his great staff. I
thank them for sharing him with us in service to our country.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Montana
(Mr. Zinke).
Mr. ZINKE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in tribute of our friend and
colleague, Doug LaMalfa.
When I arrived in Congress in 2015, I noticed a large man with long
hair. He was a big man, but the biggest thing about Doug LaMalfa was
his heart.
As Secretary, I got the opportunity to tour his district that had
been devastated by wildfires. I walked with him and looked at the
devastation, the despair of people losing their lives and everything
they had, and Doug knew them by name.
He cared. He cared about every Member of this institution, but, more
importantly, he cared about the people he represented. He cared about
their life, their values, and represented them as well or better than
anyone that has ever served in this great body.
Mr. Speaker, today, we mark the passing but also the privilege of
knowing a great man. It is my hope, Mr. Speaker, that we all learn from
Doug LaMalfa and understand that we represent the people. We give
prayer to his family, but take solace to know that Doug is with his
maker.
{time} 1850
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Utah
(Mr. Owens).
Mr. OWENS. Mr. Speaker, as with my colleagues on both sides of the
aisle, I stand before my colleagues with a heavy heart to honor the
life and legacy of my dear friend and esteemed colleague, Doug LaMalfa.
Doug's sudden passing this week leaves a void not only in this
Chamber but in the hearts of all who knew him. To a person, a testament
from everyone who has crossed his path would be this: What a really
good man.
As a Member of the Western Caucus, I witnessed firsthand Doug's
fierce advocacy for farmers, ranchers, and hardworking families who
form the backbone of our Nation. It was inspiring.
On the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I saw the same
tenacious commitment to his beloved State of California as he
championed water rights and fought for the conservative values at the
very core of our American culture.
Doug was a steadfast warrior for the country and State he loved. He
will be sorely missed. His faith, grit, and authenticity have inspired
us all. Rest assured, we will continue to carry on the torch that Doug
championed so well.
We know where Doug is at this moment. Our prayers are with him, with
Jill, and with his family. Rest in peace. May God bless him.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Alabama
(Mr. Palmer).
Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise this evening with my
colleagues to honor Doug LaMalfa in the joint remembrance of his life.
He was one of this body's best Members.
Doug was a dear friend whom I will miss. He was a talented and
trusted colleague who was serious about his work, representing his
constituents as he was constantly seeking to move policy that helped
them and our Nation.
Doug was a rice farmer, an occupation that he loved and that in many
respects was foundational to his work ethic, his love of the land, and
his love of the people and rural communities.
More than anything else, he was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ.
I will miss Doug and our weekly Thursday morning Bible studies.
I will miss his humbleness, his even temper, his humor, and his
presence in this body. I will miss hearing him call me Francis Gary
Powers after the U.S. spy plane pilot who was shot down over Russia and
captured in the 1960s.
My wife, Ann, and I are praying for God to comfort Doug's wife, Jill;
his children; his family; his staff; and all who, like those who have
gathered in this Chamber this evening, knew and loved Doug LaMalfa.
Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson).
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy
heart to share a few words about my dear friend, Congressman Doug
LaMalfa.
Doug was a husband, a father, and a fourth-generation rice farmer. He
dedicated more than 20 years to public service, both in this House and
in the California State Legislature.
Doug was a giant in both stature and character. After meeting Doug,
you couldn't help being struck by his kindness and gentle manner. He
had a reputation as an affable colleague, a principled legislator, a
fierce advocate for
[[Page H238]]
rural America, and one heck of a muscle car driver, which I experienced
firsthand. All of them rang true.
Doug was an expert on farming, forestry, and water issues. He chaired
the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture, and he
was chairman of the Western Caucus.
We traveled the country together, coast to coast, north to south,
meeting with men and women who feed this great country. They are
memories I will always treasure. He was supposed to be with me in
Pennsylvania this weekend. His presence will be sorely missed.
In a town full of self-important figures, Doug was authentically
normal. I will certainly miss his wisdom, his sense of humor, and
incredible friendship. I turned the tables on Doug when it came to
nicknames. I affectionately named him the ``Governor of Jefferson,''
and he eagerly accepted that.
Doug was a man of great faith, and I find comfort in knowing he was
welcomed into the arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Rest easy,
Brother. We will take it from here.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman from Utah (Mr.
Moore) has expired.
Mr. JOHNSON of Louisiana. Mr. Speaker, On January 5th, our dear
friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa, passed away unexpectedly at the age
of 65. A lifelong resident of Northern California, Doug was a fierce
fighter for the people he represented and for his state's vast and
beautiful natural resources.
Representing one of California's largest districts, Doug never
hesitated to drive hundreds of miles to meet a handful of constituents.
He drew no distinctions between those living in the more remote corners
of his district and those in the big city. Doug believed everyone
deserved to have their representation and voice heard in Congress. It's
that spirit of duty and selfless service that made him so admired among
his friends and colleagues, and which made him one of the most
respected people in this institution.
Doug became a close friend of mine during my tenure as Vice Chairman
of the House Republican Conference, where my weekly responsibility was
to recruit other Members to help me amplify the House Republican
message on the House Floor. Even in late night sessions and on days
when others had left town early, Doug was always faithful to show up,
eager to speak to the greatness of this country and about our tireless
work to improve the lives of the people he represented. For that
commitment, his kindness, his optimism and faith, and his sense of
humor, I and all of my many Republican colleagues will miss Doug
dearly. He was in every sense a giant among us.
____________________