[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 141 (Monday, September 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 HONORING THE LIFE OF BOB WAYNE THORTON

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 8, 2008

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of 
a great community activist, excellent farmer and friend, Mr. Bob Wayne 
Thorton of Van Alstyne, Texas.
  Bob Thorton was a fourth-generation farmer, working land in Grayson 
and Collin counties for more than 65 years. Though he could do just 
about anything from carpentry to plumbing, he loved farming the most. 
The Thortons were leaders in the farming industry, as they were the 
first to bring in equipment, the first to mechanize their operations 
and usually the first to help another farmer get past a rough spot with 
the loan of money and equipment. As a result of his many contributions, 
Bob was named Collin County's Conservationist Farmer of the Year in 
1986.
  Bob was a community activist most of his life, but unless one had 
firsthand knowledge of his activities, his achievements would have gone 
unknown because he was such a humble individual. He was one of the 
original members of the American Agriculture Movement, a grassroots 
organization to help farmers become involved with government, politics 
and the public policy that affects their livelihoods, and served as 
National Vice President and 3 years as National President. He spent 
many years lobbying at the state and national levels, during which time 
he participated in the 1979 ``tractor-cade'' that rolled into 
Washington, DC, more than 6,000 tractors strong. He was a founding 
member and president of South Grayson Water Supply, a charter member of 
the Hurricane Creek Country Club, and served on the Van Alstyne Library 
Board. Through his political activist endeavors, Bob became friends 
with several elected representatives, such as former U.S. Sen. John 
Tower, former Speaker of the House Sam Rayburn, and Secretary of 
Agriculture John Block. Because of Willie Nelson's support of family 
farmers, Bob and Nelson also became good friends.
  Bob is survived by daughters Sheryl Priest of North Little Rock, 
Arkansas, Brenda Baggett of Friendswood and Linda Wood of Van Alstyne, 
five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, and sister JoAnn Cavender 
of Van Alstyne. He was one who believed in family and held his family 
heritage as a lifetime priority.
  Madam Speaker, we are privileged to have known such an honest man and 
humble public servant. Please join me today as we honor his memory and 
celebrate the life of Mr. Bob Wayne Thorton.

                          ____________________