[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 76 (Thursday, April 30, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E397-E398]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF RICK LAFRANCHI

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JARED HUFFMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 30, 2026

  Mr. HUFFMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Rick 
Lafranchi, who passed away on April 13, 2026. A beloved cheesemaker, 
coach, and community leader, Rick was a positive force for many.
  Rick was the second oldest of six siblings in the Lafranchi family of 
Nicasio, a multigenerational ranching family whose roots date to his 
grandfather's immigration from Maggia, Switzerland and the founding the 
Lafranchi Dairy in 1919. He helped establish and serve as the public 
face of the award winning Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, a farmstead 
creamery cofounded with his brother Scott in 2010 and renowned for its 
production of organic cheeses.
  Rick often spoke about the importance of protecting West Marin's 
working landscapes, and he matched those words with action through his 
service on the board of the Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT), 
including as chair from 2012 to 2014. He credited MALT's conservation 
tools with helping his family expand its pasture and build the family's 
creamery.
  Long before cheesemaking, Rick invested in the development of future 
generations as a high school baseball coach at his alma mater, Archie 
Williams High School. He also owned

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and operated a local video rental store franchise, Silver Screen 
Videos, which became neighborhood fixtures in the North Bay.
  Mr. Speaker, Rick Lafranchi is survived by his wife Debby, his 
children, Christie and Rick, as well as his grandchildren. I 
respectfully ask that you join me in honoring his extraordinary life 
and in extending our deepest condolences to his family, friends, 
colleagues, and customers who remember him for his character and 
kindness.

                          ____________________