January 14, 2009 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E89 

It is long past time that Congress exercises 

its authority to protect the republican government of the States from out-of-control Federal 

judges. Therefore, I urge my colleagues to cosponsor the We the People Act. 

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PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Mr. HONDA. Madam Speaker, on rollcall 

No. 11, I was caught in traffic from Dulles, and 

had I been present, I would have voted ‘‘aye.’’ 

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HONORING ERNIE GEMPERLE 

HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH OF CALIFORNIA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today with my colleague from California Mr. 

CARDOZA to honor the life of Ernie Gemperle 

for his dedication and service to his community and family. Mr. Gemperle passed away at 

the age of seventy-nine on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at Emanuel Medical Center in his 

home town of Turlock, California. 

Ernie Gemperle was born on June 7, 1929 

in Bischofsell, Switzerland and was one of 

twelve children. He graduated from the International Poultry School in Bern. Mr. Gemperle 

emigrated from Switzerland in 1949 with nothing more than his degree. Upon arriving to the 

United States, he was drafted into the Army, 

where he served at Fort Ord during the Korean War. In October 1955, he went back to 

Switzerland to marry his childhood sweetheart, 

Annemarie Dezlhofer. They returned to the 

U.S., settled in Turlock, California and began 

an egg business, Gemperle Enterprises. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gemperle raised seven 

children and developed a successful business. 

Gemperle Enterprises has been an industry 

leader as egg production moved from small, 

scattered henhouses to the concentrated, 

automated operations of today. The business 

was one of the first egg farms to use bulk, 

rather than sacked, feeds. Mr. Gemperle upgraded the packing system in other areas of 

the operation with the goal of providing quality 

eggs at a lower price. The eggs were marketed under the Nulaid label. He soon joined 

with other egg producers to create NuWest 

Milling, which built a feed and grain terminal 

near Hughson, California and the NuCal 

Foods distribution cooperative in Ripon, California. Mr. Gemperle was a pioneer for the 

egg industry, including organic and other specialty eggs. He was willing to purchase the 

newest equipment with the latest technology 

to insure the safety of the hens and provide 

the lowest prices for the consumers. Today, 

the family business has grown to include over 

one million hens on several farms. 

Mr. Gemperle and his family have tirelessly 

supported numerous causes, including their 

church, healthcare, higher education and the 

arts. The Greater Yosemite Council of Boy 

Scouts was his number one cause. Mr. 

Gemperle served as Council President for two 

terms from 1990–1991. He received the Silver 

Beaver for his service to Scouting in 1991. He 

also served as the head of the council’s Investment Committee from its inception in 

2006. He has also served on the Executive 

Board of the Council from the early seventies 

until his recent passing. His son, Michael, 

serves as the Scouting Nominating Committee 

Chair and as the Executive Vice President of 

the Council. Michael is slated to become 

President in 2010. Since 1971, the Gemperle 

Family Bar-B-Que has raised money for 

Scouting each year. The event is held at the 

family home and the food is served by family 

members. It is estimated that over $500,000 

has been raised from this BBQ. 

Mr. Gemperle was considered a leader in 

his local community. He served as Rotary 

President and a Rotarian for forty years. He 

has been a driving force behind many of the 

City Council’s initiatives, including the building 

of the Rogers Service Center in 1999–2000. 

He served on the boards for both Emanuel 

Hospital and Doctors Hospital in Modesto. He 

was past chairman of Catholic Charities of the 

Stockton Diocese and was instrumental in the 

construction of Sacred Heart Church and the 

California State University, Stanislaus Newman Center. Recognition of his service is 

great; including Agri-businessman of the Year 

(1980 Turlock Chamber), Paul Harris (1985 

Rotary), Liberty Bell (1990 County Bar), University Medal (1991 CSUS) and Good Samaritan (1999 EMC) just to name a few. 

Mr. Gemperle’s leadership and generosity 

has been passed down to his children who 

now run Gemperle Enterprises. All of his children are active in the community and serve on 

the boards or committees for various organizations and causes that Mr. Gemperle supported. He was a strong supporter and advocate of California State University, Stanislaus, 

United Samaritan’s of Turlock, Emanuel Hospital of Turlock, Sacred Heart Church and the 

Boy Scouts of America. The family was honored at the ‘‘Distinguished Citizen’s Dinner’’ by 

the Council in 2005 for their continuous work 

and dedication to the community. 

Annemarie Gemperle preceded her husband 

in death in 1999. Mr. Gemperle is survived by 

his second wife, Maria Gemperle; sons Peter, 

Richard, Stephen and Michael all of Turlock; 

daughters Heidi Gemperle of Seattle, Anita 

Mahaffey of San Diego and Susan Abdo of 

Boise; two step-daughters Brigit Johnson and 

Barbara Masterson; twenty-one grandchildren; 

three step-grandchildren; brother, Walter 

Gemperle of Turlock and six siblings in Switzerland. 

Madam Speaker, I rise today to posthumously honor Ernie Gemperle for his leadership and dedication to his community. I invite my colleagues to join me in honoring his 

life and wishing the best for his family. 

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RECOGNIZING THE EFFORTS OF 

THOSE WHO SERVE THEIR COMMUNITIES ON MARTIN LUTHER 

KING DAY 

SPEECH OF

HON. BETTY McCOLLUM OF MINNESOTA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, January 13, 2009 

Ms. MCCOLLUM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today 

in strong support of H. Res. 43, which recognizes the efforts of those who serve their communities on Martin Luther King Day and promotes the holiday as a day of national service. 

During his life, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

recognized the power of service to strengthen 

communities. In 1994, Congress made Martin 

Luther King Day a national day of community 

volunteerism to further commemorate Dr. 

King’s commitment to others. 

This King Day, as part of inauguration festivities, President-elect Barack Obama has encouraged all Americans to not only use this 

day to volunteer, but to also make a long-term 

commitment to community service. 

At home in Minnesota, and across the nation, many will volunteer to serve their communities by working at food banks, helping the 

homeless, and improving schools. Minnesotans have a proud tradition of civic engagement. In a study conducted by the Corporation 

for National and Community Service, Minneapolis-St. Paul was ranked number one for 

volunteer rates in a large city. 

As we begin this new Congress and new 

White House Administration, I can think of no 

better way to strengthen our country than to 

help create change in our communities. I encourage everyone to get involved this Martin 

Luther King Day and to browse http:// 

www.usaservice.org for volunteer opportunities. I also want to thank every American who 

will volunteer on Monday and those that continue to serve throughout the year. 

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PERSONAL EXPLANATION 

HON. STEVE KAGEN OF WISCONSIN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Mr. KAGEN. Madam Speaker, I regret that 

I was unable to participate in four votes on the 

floor of the House of Representatives on January 9, 2009, as I was recovering from knee 

surgery. 

The first vote was rollcall vote No. 7, a motion to recommit H.R. 12, the Paycheck Fairness Act. Had I been present, I would have 

voted ‘‘no.’’ 

The second vote was rollcall vote No. 8, on 

final passage of H.R. 12. Had I been present, 

I would have voted ‘‘yes.’’ 

The third vote was rollcall vote No. 9, on 

final passage of H.R. 11, the Lily Ledbetter 

Fair Pay Act. Had I been present I would have 

voted ‘‘yes.’’ 

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IN RECOGNITION OF CHRISTINA 

MELTON CRAIN 

HON. PETE SESSIONS OF TEXAS

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 

Mr. SESSIONS. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today to recognize Christina Melton Crain who 

is being recognized by the Texas Department 

of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) with the dedication 

of a unit after her namesake. 

Christina was first appointed to the Texas 

State Board of Criminal Justice (TBCJ) in April 

2001 and in February 2003 she became the 

first woman in Texas history to lead the ninemember board as its new Chair. Under her 

leadership, she worked closely with the TDCJ, 


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