RICE FARMING
Rob Mills
Early in the 20th Century, a visitor to southern California remarked that the area he was seeing for the first time was the closest thing to the Garden of Eden he could ever imagine laying eyes on. But unknown to that gentleman, the modern Shangri-La had an Achillies heel: water, or the lack thereof.
Nearly a century later, one of the favorite sons of “North-State” California built his political career in part on defending the right of farmers to have access to water. H2O is a necessity to grow rice, something Doug LaMalfa and his family knew well, being fourth generation rice farmers.
The world of Northern California and the political establishment LaMalfa was a part of in the nation’s capital were stunned to hear of his death on January 6th. The U.S. House1st District Congressman collapsed in his Richvale, California home and later died during surgery at a Chico, California hospital. He was 65.
Born in Oroville, California on July 2, 1960, LaMalfa graduated from Biggs (CA) High School in 1978, going on to obtain an Associate’s Degree from Butte College in Oroville, then a Bachelor’s Degree in Ag Business from Cal Poly St. University in San Luis Obispo.
During his life LaMalfa was deeply connected to his family’s rice farming legacy in Northern California. His concerns about state and then federal ag policy led him to seek out a political career. He went on to serve multiple terms in the California Assembly and Senate, before moving on from Sacramento to Washington, D.C. where he served seven terms as a U.S. Congressman from 2013 until his death.
Upon hearing about LaMalfa’s untimely passing, President Donald Trump praised his political ally, saying LaMalfa was a “great, great member of Congress. He was a fantastic person.” The President also added he was endeared to LaMalfa because “you know he voted with me 100% of the time.”
Trump spoke of the fierce passion the “North-State” congressman had in representing his constituents. “He was the leader of the Western Caucus, a fierce champion of California water issues. ‘Release the water’ he screamed”, Trump quoted LaMalfa as saying during one contentious meeting.
It was that passion that led Alex Bell, a Sacramento television journalist who covered LaMalfa to describe him as a “loved Congressman, a rice farmer who people knew was one of them.”
He also had a reputation for reaching across the aisle in Congress, according to Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who served several years in the House of Representatives with La Malfa. The fiery Democrat who has clashed frequently with President Trump, described LaMalfa as a “friend and partner who was willing to work across the aisle to get things done.” Another one of LaMalfa’s Democratic colleagues, Congressman Jarred Huffman, said in an hour-long tribute to the congressman on the House floor that “I know plenty of people that disagreed with him, I didn’t know of anyone that disliked him.”
One photo showed him speaking on the floor of the U.S. House with then President Joe Biden, both with big smiles on their faces, following a State of the Union address.
Praise for LaMalfa was heard in the nation’s capital, the California capital, and the anchor city of the rural part of his district. Mollie Buckler, the President and CEO of the U.S. Rice Producers Association said that “Congressman LaMalfa was a steadfast advocate for his fellow rice producers throughout his time in Washington, D.C. With his passing, the rice community has lost a true friend.” Buckler added LaMalfa also served as an early board member of the US Rice Producers Association, “helping to shape and strengthen our industry.”
Mayor Mendy Schuster of Susanville, California said LaMalfa “was a true advocate for us and other rural communities. He paid attention to our needs and cared about those he served. He took time to meet with leaders and residents in our community.”
Tim Johnson, CEO of the California Rice Commission added “Northern California could not have asked for someone who cared more deeply about its communities and its farms than Doug,”
He continued, “Doug was one of the early members of the California Rice Commission board, representing Butte County, as the organization met in its formative years to address grower representation, rice straw burning, water quality and public outreach. He was a steadfast champion for Northern California’s rural and resource issues.”
“Throughout his many years of public service, Doug will be remembered for his kindness and his willingness to engage others to find common ground and real solutions,” Johnson concluded.
Finally, longtime friend and California rice farmer Nicole Montna Van Vleck said of LaMalfa,” he was a fellow rice farmer, knew the value of hard work, community, and showing up for your neighbors — lessons learned not just in Congress, but in the rice fields of Richvale. From riding in a rice harvester to cruising in his muscle car through the North State, Doug brought curiosity and generosity to everything he did. He was a great friend, a devoted son, husband, father, and grandfather, whose warmth, loyalty, and love of life will be deeply missed and long remembered.”
LaMalfa spearheaded efforts on Capitol Hill to develop policies that dealt with the wildfire issues that plagued his district and other areas of the U.S. He was heralded for his work on wildfire mitigation, forest management and in obtaining recovery settlements for the survivors of major wildfires. He served on the Agriculture, Transportation & Infrastructure and Natural Resources committees.
He strongly opposed Proposition 50, the California redistricting bill passed by voters last November, that was a response by state Democrats, to the redrawing of the congressional map in Texas to favor Republicans. (As of late January, an attempt to overturn “Prop 50” is currently before the U.S. Supreme Court)
On June 2nd, primaries in California will choose the candidates for November’s mid-term election to select a new, permanent congressman for the 1st District. A special election will be held in August to elect a candidate to serve the remainder of LaMalfa’s term. The death of LaMalfa temporarily placed the number of Republican Congressman in the U.S. House at 218, the minimum required to hold a majority.
He is survived by his wife Jill, four children and one grandchild. The funeral service for LaMalfa was held on Saturday January 24th, at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds in Chico, California.
RICE FARMING
Rob Mills