[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 107 (Thursday, June 26, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT MONDAVI

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. LYNN C. WOOLSEY

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 24, 2008

  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 365, a 
resolution celebrating the accomplished life and enduring legacy of 
Robert Mondavi, whose vision helped propel California winemakers as 
leaders in the international wine market.
  Robert Mondavi was born to a family of Italian immigrants on June 18, 
1913. In 1923, his father moved the family to Lodi, California, to 
pursue an interest in the grape business. Following in his father's 
footsteps, a young Robert Mondavi began working at Sunny St. Helena 
Winery in the 1930s, and then later at Charles Krug Winery after his 
father had purchased the business.
  Less than three decades later, Mr. Mondavi had founded the Robert 
Mondavi Winery to fulfill his vision of developing world-class Napa 
Valley wines. He later went on to establish the first French-American 
wine venture, one of many international collaborations. These efforts 
helped to drive the Mondavi name to be synonymous with premier 
California wines.
  However, Mr. Mondavi's accomplishments were not limited to the wine 
industry. His philanthropic and charitable contributions to the 
community, including founding the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and 
Food Science at the University of California at Davis, the Robert and 
Magrit Mondavi Center for Performing Arts at UC Davis, the Napa Valley 
Wine Auction, which has raised millions of dollars for local charities, 
and his tireless efforts for the conservation of American farmlands all 
have left an indelible impact on our country.
  Mr. Mondavi's bold innovations laid the foundations for many of the 
wine growers in my Congressional District. His efforts contributed to 
the success of these wineries now enjoy as one of the world's pre-
eminent wine making regions. Mr. Speaker, Robert Mondavi's life and 
leadership should be applauded, and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Robert Mondavi by passing this important resolution.

                          ____________________