[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 41 (Tuesday, March 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E351]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      IN HONOR OF DR. W. JOE LEWIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JIM MARSHALL

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2008

  Mr. MARSHALL. Madam Speaker, it is with great pleasure that I rise 
today to honor Dr. W. Joe Lewis of Tifton, GA, on the occasion of his 
selection as a recipient of the 2008 Wolf Foundation Prize in 
Agriculture. This prize is given annually to recognize the achievements 
of outstanding scientists in six fields and comes with a $100,000 
award.
  Dr. Lewis is being honored by the Wolf Foundation for his key role in 
discovering mechanisms governing plant-insect and plant-plant 
interactions. His scientific contributions have greatly assisted the 
development of an ecologically sound approach to integrated pest 
management and have helped to advance agricultural sustainability 
worldwide.
  Madam Speaker, this award is just one example of Dr. Lewis's 
scientific contributions. Long recognized as a leader in the field of 
research entomology, his work has been featured in more than 200 
scientific publications and highlighted on a number of broadcast 
programs. Dr. Lewis is often sought out by others for his knowledge and 
experience, and has mentored numerous students and scientists who are 
now making their mark on the world through their own scientific 
contributions.
  Although recognized for his achievements, Dr. Lewis began life humbly 
as a sharecropper's son in Mississippi. His college studies led him 
into entomology and eventually brought him to Georgia.
  From 1967 until his retirement in 2006, Dr. Lewis was a researcher 
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Tifton, Georgia, and also 
held adjunct faculty positions with both the University of Georgia and 
the University of Florida. In his time with the USDA, the Secretary of 
Agriculture promoted him to supergrade rank, and his numerous grant 
awards included $4.3 million to explore the possibility of training 
insects as biological detectors.
  Dr. Lewis has also been active in civic and community affairs. For 
more than a decade, he has served as the vice mayor of Tifton, GA. 
Previously, he served as a member of the city council and was involved 
with his community's downtown development and historic preservation. He 
also served on the board of elections, planning and zoning, and mental 
health services.
  Madam Speaker, I am confident my colleagues will join me in 
recognizing the scientific and civic achievements of this great 
Georgian and American.

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