The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“REMEMBERING ORVILLE G. BENTLEY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1987 on Nov. 16, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REMEMBERING ORVILLE G. BENTLEY
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HON. TIMOTHY V. JOHNSON
of illinois
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois. Mr. Speaker, on October 10, 2004 the University of Illinois College of Agriculture lost one of the most influential leaders in its history. Orville G. Bentley served as Dean of the College from 1965-1982. When Mr. Bentley took the helm, the facilities of the College were below par, making it hard to retain graduate students and faculty. However, he quickly became the College's champion for improving research and teaching facilities and as a result, the College of Agriculture, is today among the best in the country.
Apart from improvements on campus, Orville was most proud of the vital international work the University of Illinois provided during his tenure. Under his stewardship the University of Illinois made substantial contributions to creating new agricultural institutions in Africa and the Asian sub-continent.
Dean Bentley left the University of Illinois in 1982 to join the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but he will be remembered as someone who always made time for his colleagues and thoroughly enjoyed welcoming visitors from different parts of the world. In his 17 years of service to the University of Illinois, Orville G. Bentley was instrumental in improving the College's facilities and in making Illinois a leader in the international agricultural arena. His contributions will be treasured and his character will be missed.
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