[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 67 (Tuesday, May 11, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E912]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO GORDON MURCHIE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 11, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 1998 
Virginia Wine Industry Person of the Year, Gordon Murchie. This honor 
was bestowed upon Mr. Murchie by the Virginia Winegrowers Advisory 
Board. Murchie holds several key positions including the Presidency of 
the Vinifera Wine Growers Association and the Executive Director 
position for the Licensed Beverage Information Council. Murchie 
tirelessly promotes the Virginia wine industry around the world. He is 
only the second East Coast wine industry individual to ever receive the 
coveted ranking of Supreme Knight by the Brotherhood of the Knights of 
the Vine. He organizes and manages many state and regional wine events 
including the Annual Virginia Wine Competition and festival in Northern 
Virginia which is one of the oldest running wine festivals on the East 
Coast.
  Murchie regularly conducts wine tasting of award-winning Virginia 
wines in California and other locations for wine enthusiasts and trade 
people. He also has conducted similar wine presentations at major U.S. 
Chamber of Commerce meetings and at U.S. Congressional receptions.
  As the former Executive Director of the National Wine Coalition, 
trade association umbrella for the U.S. wine industry, he served as an 
industry liaison and lobbyist during four sessions of the U.S. 
Congress, as well as organizing the first nationwide wine issues forum 
focusing on health and wine which contributed to the overall industry 
effort to gain national recognition of the potential health benefits of 
responsible, moderate consumption.
  ``Gordon's contributions to the Virginia wine industry has been 
invaluable,'' said Virginia Winegrowers Advisory Board Chairman Doug 
Flemer. ``Our industry is fortunate to have such an individual with his 
expertise and experience working on our behalf,'' added Flemer.
  Additionally, Murchie serves as a wine consultant and provides 
guidance and advice to Virginia wineries. He also acts as consultant 
for the very successful Mount Vernon wine festival, now in its third 
year.
  He is nationally considered an authority on many subjects relating to 
wine and is a frequent guest lecturer for groups on topics such as 
``The History of the Virginia Wine Industry.'' Murchie is often 
selected to lead U.S. viticulture and enology delegations to 
international wine growing regions such as the People's Republic of 
China, South Africa, Australia, Argentina and Chile.
  Given Murchie's extensive U.S. Foreign Service background and his 
experience in international diplomacy, it is natural that he has chosen 
to pursue the Jeffersonian dream of promoting an American wine 
industry.
  The Virginia Wine Industry Person of the Year award annually 
recognizes outstanding contributions to the industry. This year's award 
was presented to Murchie at the Virginia Wine Honors at the Library of 
Virginia in downtown Richmond.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gordon Murchie, Virginia 
Wine Industry Person of the Year. I applaud the invaluable 
contributions he has made to the American wine industry. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Gordon Murchie many more years of 
success.

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