Recognizing Mr. Matt Steve Pandol, Jr.

Floor Speech

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Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my friend and colleague, Congressman Kevin McCarthy, to honor the life of Mr. Matt Steve Pandol, Jr., who passed away on April 21, 2023, at his home in Delano, California. He was 60 years old.

The son of Matt and Lucy Pandol, he was born on June 27, 1962. Matt spent his childhood in Delano and attended California State University, Fresno, where he graduated with a degree in plant science. Following his graduation, he returned home to work for his family business. Matt married his wife Linda in 1994. They had three children together and raised them in his hometown. He worked independently and alongside the Pandol Family organization and served on the board of directors of Pandol Bros., Inc. and Delano Grape Growers Co-op Winery. Today, Pandol Bros. is one of the nation's top producers of grapes.

Matt was a fixture in the Delano community. He was a parishioner of St. Mary's Catholic Church, a member of the Greater Delano Area Youth Foundation, and a member of the American Slavonic Social Club. He was also involved in the All Slavonic American Association of Fresno. An avid shooting sports competitor, Matt was a regular at shooting tournaments across the nation. He was a member of the Kern County Gun Club and other sporting clubs. He also spent time hiking, fishing, and enjoying the outdoors.

Matt was a hardworking farmer, dedicated to producing the finest produce in California. He worked closely with his brother, Andrew, on Pandol Farms and cherished the time they spent working together. He was dedicated to the quality of the Pandol Family product. With his family name on the box, he believed the fruit had to be first class. His team was very important to him, and he valued their expertise and dedication to farming.

Matt is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Matt III, Stefanie, and Mark; his mother, Lucy Pandol; brothers Louis Pandol, John (Angelica) Pandol, Andrew S. (Beth) Pandol; sister, Margaret (Scott) Curtis; and mother-in-law, Gerry Marcia, in addition to other relatives and in-laws.

Mr. Speaker, today we ask our colleagues in the United States House of Representatives to join us in honoring the life of our dear friend, Mr. Matt Steve Pandol, Jr., who was taken too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.

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