[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E725-E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   CELEBRATING THE CHRISTOPHER FAMILY AND THE GILROY GARLIC FESTIVAL

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ZOE LOFGREN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2026

  Ms. LOFGREN. Mr. Speaker, I rise to celebrate the Gilroy Garlic 
Festival, a beloved annual tradition in Santa Clara County dating back 
to 1979.
  Drawing thousands of visitors from across the country, this three-day 
festival has raised millions of dollars for local schools and 
charities.
  With everything from garlic fries to garlic ice cream, the Gilroy 
Garlic Festival reminds people every year why Gilroy is the Garlic 
Capital of the World. In fact, over half of America's garlic is now 
grown around Gilroy and 90 percent of the country's garlic harvest is 
processed here.
  This cherished event is thanks in large part to the Christopher 
Family, who made the long journey from Denmark to America in the 1890s. 
After hearing tale of the Santa Clara Valley's dark, fertile soil and 
Mediterranean climate, they knew this land would be where they would 
settle.
  In 1979, Donald Christopher co-founded the Gilroy Garlic Festival, 
with an estimated 15,000 people showing up to the two-day event, about 
triple the number they expected. By the 1980s, there were more than 
100,000 ticket buyers.
  Today, the legacy of Don Christopher is carried on by his family, 
including his son, Bill, and grandsons, Ken and Jason. Thanks to their 
hard work, the Gilroy Garlic Festival remains a critical part of 
Gilroy's identity and a moment that families look forward to year after 
year. The festival also could not take place without the help of 
thousands of volunteers. We thank them for their help, and we honor the 
Christopher family for their long service to our community.

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