USA Rice extends condolences to the friends and family of Congressman Doug LaMalfa who has died at 65 after suffering an aneurysm and heart attack.
LaMalfa was a devoted public servant, fourth-generation rice farmer, and seven-term U.S. Representative for California’s 1st Congressional District, including the rice producing counties of Butte, Colusa, Sutter, and most of Yuba County.
He served on the House Agriculture Committee and Chaired the Forestry Subcommittee. He also sat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Natural Resources Committee. He was also the chair of the Congressional Western Caucus.
Before his election to the U.S. House, LaMalfa built a record of community-focused leadership in the California State Assembly and Senate. In Congress, he was known for his steadfast advocacy on behalf of farmers, small businesses, and rural families, championing issues from water and forest management to economic opportunity and limited government.
California Rice Commission President and CEO Tim Johnson remembered LaMalfa fondly. "Doug was one of the early Commission board members. He went on to serve farmers in the California Assembly and Senate and then in Congress. He will be remembered for his kindness and willingness to engage others to find common ground.”
“Doug LaMalfa, 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,” said longtime friend and California rice farmer Nicole Montna Van Vleck. “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.”