[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24425]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     IN HONOR OF COSMO INSALACO, FORMER FRESNO COUNTY AGRICULTURAL 
                              COMMISSIONER

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2008

  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay special tribute to a 
past Agricultural Commissioner of Fresno County, a valued voice for 
agriculture in Fresno County. On Monday, November 10th, 2008, Cosmo 
Insalaco passed away from a sudden illness at the age of 72.
  Agriculture continues to be California's number one industry with 
Fresno County ranking as the number one agricultural producing county 
in California. The fertile soils of Fresno County support over 300 
different crops, valued at 5 billion annually to the economy of 
California. Much has contributed to these bountiful crops, but a 
significant factor in Fresno County's agricultural success in the 1980s 
and 1990s was the presence of Cosmo Insalaco as its lead advocate.
  Mr. Insalaco was no stranger to agriculture. Raised on a family farm 
in Watterton, Massachusetts, Cosmo later attended the University of 
Massachusetts, where he earned a degree in Horticulture. He continued 
his studies in Public Administration in the California school system 
before entering the Air Force.
  Prior to becoming Fresno County's Agricultural Commissioner, Mr. 
Insalaco served as Deputy Agricultural Commissioner in Santa Clara 
County, and as an Assistant Agricultural Commissioner for San Mateo 
County. While in Fresno County, Cosmo served as vice-president of 
Agribusiness in the Fresno County and City Chamber of Commerce. He was 
on the board of Directors of the California Agricultural Commissioners' 
and Sealers' Association. Always active in the community, Mr. Insalaco 
continued to return to Fresno each year to judge at the Big Fresno Fair 
in the agriculture building.
  Mr. Insalaco received much praise over the years for his leadership. 
The crop disasters of the 1990 and 1998 freezes were challenges he rose 
to meet. His tenure as commissioner saw major changes in technology and 
regulation unfold. While known for his strict oversight, Cosmo was also 
noted by one grower to be ``. . . the most cordial and professional . . 
.'' person they had ever met. Contemporaries and employees alike 
commended Mr. Insalaco for his friendship and his mentorship. Probably 
most noteworthy was reference to Cosmo Insalaco's vision. Mr. Insalaco 
was an ardent promoter of education concerning agriculture. Cosmo 
helped launch the Blossom Trail, a self-guided tour of the fruit and 
nut blossoms throughout Fresno County during bloom time. Over the 
years, this annual event has grown and now draws tourists from all over 
the region and state. This tradition will continue to bear witness to 
Cosmo Insalaco's influence in the Fresno region.
  It is most fitting now to honor this man for his life and his 
dedication to friends, colleagues and especially agriculture. I urge my 
colleagues to join me now in celebrating this truly innovative man's 
life, accomplishments and to extend his family our thoughts. He will 
be, beyond a doubt, missed.

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