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“RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF RICHARD D. GASKALLA, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1384 on July 20, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING THE SERVICE OF RICHARD D. GASKALLA, FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
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HON. ADAM H. PUTNAM
of florida
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Mr. PUTNAM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public servant, who has made an invaluable contribution toward safeguarding the future of agricultural production in our State and Nation. Richard D. Gaskalla, serving as Director, Division of Plant Industry, has distinguished himself through a marked career at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. His exemplary service over the last 25 years is to be commended. I rise to honor Richard Gaskalla on the occasion of his retirement from the Florida Department of Agriculture, and congratulate him on his future endeavors as he moves on to serve and protect our Nation through the Department of Homeland Security.
Raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Mr. Gaskalla graduated from Florida State University in 1975 with a degree in Biological Sciences. He began his career as a District Agricultural Products Specialist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Plant Industry, Bureau of Plant Inspection.
He quickly progressed, promoted to Agricultural Products Specialist Supervisor responsible for interpretation and dissemination of plant import and export regulations, post entry quarantine programs, and the Bureau of Plant Inspection's interactions with the Division of Inspection, Bureau of Road Guard Agricultural Inspection Stations. In 1988, he was appointed Director of the Division of Plant Industry overseeing all division programs, including emergency pest and disease eradication activities and other functions.
Under his direction, the Division of Plant Industry has strengthened the state of preparedness against threats of serious agricultural- pests and diseases. His steadfast and committed efforts, in collaboration with many agencies and organizations at the State, regional, and national level have directly enhanced policies affecting Florida and U.S. agriculture.
As a dedicated and knowledgeable leader in the field of plant pest regulatory programs, Richard Gaskalla has made valuable contributions through his service on many national panels and oversight bodies. His work on the Safeguarding American Plant Resources Review set forth a comprehensive policy designed to improve United States agriculture protection programs. Mr. Gaskalla also served on the National Plant Board Advisory Council, which provides a direct line for input and communication on policies, issues, quarantines that affect U.S. and international agricultural production.
He has facilitated safe trade among nations, based on sound phytosanitary scientific standards, formulating several successful export certifications for U.S. agricultural products to foreign markets. In his tenure with the Division of Plant Industry, Mr. Gaskalla was involved in several efforts to combat dangerous pests and disease threatening the State and region's agricultural production including the Mediterranean fruit fly, imported Fire Ants, shipment and preservation of nursery and foliage stock, biological control activities against exotic predators, and noxious weed detection. In addition, his leadership responsibilities strengthened and bolstered other regulatory programs involving honey bee inspections, boll weevil eradication, Caribbean fruit fly protocol, and commodity treatments.
Most recently, Mr. Gaskalla has been involved in the development and implementation of the Citrus Health Response Program, a critical national program designed to help mitigate the impact of dangerous pests and diseases facing North American citrus.
Richard Gaskalla has been awarded numerous awards and citations, including among other prestigious honors, the United States Department of Agriculture Honor Award.
It is my privilege to honor Richard Gaskalla's outstanding public service upon his retirement from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and thank him for his countless contributions and tireless efforts to safeguard and sustain American agriculture. I commend and recognize his efforts, and am pleased that our nation will continue to benefit from his future endeavors to protect America's valuable resources and secure our food supply.
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