[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17959]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF ALVIN J. QUIST

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 21, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the life of 
Alvin J. Quist, who passed away on October 29, 2013 at the age of 89. 
Alvin exemplified the very best of what our nation has to offer. He was 
a hard working dairyman, proud World War II veteran, and an American 
hero devoted to military and public service.
  Alvin was born into a Danish immigrant family and grew up on a dairy 
farm. He was active in 4-H and later became involved in the Future 
Farmers of America at Central Union High School where he also played 
football and served as student body president. Upon graduating from 
high school, Alvin attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) to 
major in Dairy Science.
  In 1943, Alvin's studies were interrupted as he proudly joined the 
United States Marine Corp during World War II. When the war ended, 
Alvin returned to Camp Pendleton to help wounded soldiers transition 
back to civilian life.
  Alvin met the love of his life, Mary Briggs, in July 1946, and they 
married a year later. He finished his degree, and graduated from Cal 
Poly in 1947. Alvin and Mary moved to the Kearney Park area so Alvin 
could join his father on the dairy farm. They milked 90 cows and farmed 
300 acres.
  A distinguished community leader in the agricultural industry, Alvin 
sat on a wide range of boards including Fresno Irrigation District, 
California Milk Advisory Board, Fresno County Farm Bureau, and Big 
Fresno Fair Board. Alvin gave back to his community unconditionally 
based on his faith and love for God.
  Family was most important to Alvin. He was an extremely loving 
husband and father to his son, Jim, and daughters, Debbie and Marsha. 
Alvin cherished spending time with his grandchildren and gladly 
attended their school functions, sporting events, and dance recitals.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to pay tribute to the life of Alvin J. Quist. 
He was a proud American and leaves a legacy of hope and faith for many 
generations to come.

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