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“TRIBUTE TO ROBERT J. GRAVES ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1465 on July 14, 2003.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO ROBERT J. GRAVES ON HIS 90TH BIRTHDAY
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HON. CALVIN M. DOOLEY
of california
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 14, 2003
Mr. DOOLEY of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert J. Graves, who will be celebrating his 90th birthday on July 17th of this year. As a leader in the agriculture industry for over half a century and a veteran of World War II, Mr. Graves has served both his country and community with inspiring dedication.
Robert Jackson Graves was born in 1913 in Manhattan, Kansas, the first of five children. In 1935, Mr. Graves graduated from the University of Maryland at College Park with a BA in Agriculture Economics. After graduation, Mr. Graves took a job at the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a Regional Director for Marketing Administration.
After a few short years with the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Graves went to serve our country in World War II. When a tropical disease forced his return to the states, Mr. Graves continued to serve our country by working in procurement and supply for the U.S. Navy while stationed in Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
After the war, Mr. Graves' work endeavors brought him to California's San Joaquin Valley, where, as a contractor, he supervised the building of a number of migrant farmworker camps. It was in the San Joaquin Valley that he found success as an entrepreneur, starting the Real Fresh Milk Company, which utilized a patented process developed by his father. The company produced a line of innovative dairy products, and it was his efforts to market globally that made his fresh milk a highly coveted commodity on military bases throughout Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Mr. Graves continued to contribute to the growth and development of the United States food industry through his extensive involvement with the National Food Processors Association, where he served on the Board of Directors for six years, chaired the Public Affairs Council, and served as Director of the National Food Laboratory Inc.
Mr. Graves has remained involved with California agriculture over the past thirty years through his association with the walnut industry. He has held many prestigious posts in this capacity, serving as a member of the Sun-Diamond Growers board of directors for 24 years before he retired in 2000. During this time he also served as a member of the Federal Walnut Marketing Board, and he currently serves as the alternate director of the California Walnut Marketing Association.
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Graves has served his country and his community with pride and determination. I ask my colleagues to join me today in congratulating Robert J. Graves as he celebrates his 90th birthday.
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