[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 73 (Thursday, May 24, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                 A TRIBUTE TO JOHN THOMAS THORNTON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 24, 2001

  Mr. BISHOP. Mr. Speaker, last July I had an opportunity to 
participate in a day of celebration and remembrance of the great 
contribution to agriculture and the economy in general made by the late 
John Thomas Thornton, Jr., of the community of Parrott, Georgia. If you 
are not familiar with the name, you are not alone. Even in the area of 
southwest Georgia where he lived and farmed most of his life, many 
people are not fully aware of his contribution, which impacts our lives 
even today.
  J.T. Thornton invented the peanut shaker, a harvesting device that 
came into common use in the 1940's. His invention revolutionized the 
peanut industry. By making the harvesting process faster and more 
efficient, the peanut shaker contributed greatly to the economic growth 
of our area of Georgia and, in fact, to the country at large.
  Mr. Thornton spent some 40 years developing and perfecting his 
invention. It was a magnificent achievement. The history of this 
achievement was beautifully presented in an essay written by a student 
from Parrott, Bonnie West, who won high honors when she entered the 
paper in the National History Day competition. Her accomplishment 
helped revive community interest in Mr. Thornton's invention, which he 
called the ``Victory Peanut Harvester.''
  The people of Parrott, including members of the Thornton family, are 
establishing a museum on the invention of the peanut shaker, and 
sponsored the day of celebration that included a parade and a number of 
other events. It was an exciting and enjoyable day, and it helped bring 
wider recognition of what this native southwest Georgian achieved.
  Although farmers did not have any more spare time back then than they 
do today, J.T. Thornton somehow found the time to apply his practical 
knowledge of farming, and his extraordinary grasp of engineering and 
mechanics, to overcome all of the difficulties he must have encountered 
until he produced something that raised the quality of life for 
countless Americans. This is a story we are proud of in southwest 
Georgia, and that can inspire other Americans, especially our young 
people. Mr. Speaker, it is, therefore, a story I want to share with our 
colleagues in Congress.

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