[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 164 (Wednesday, December 19, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1973-E1974]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       HONORING THE LIFE AND SERVICE OF DOYLE EDWARD CONNER, SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 19, 2012

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
life and service of Doyle Edward Conner, Sr. Throughout his long and 
distinguished career in politics, Doyle Connor served the people of 
Florida for 40 years in both the Florida House of Representatives and 
as the Commissioner of Agriculture. Commissioner Conner served as a 
mentor and an inspiration to countless individuals throughout the 
state. All of Florida mourns the loss of a great man and unparalleled 
public servant.
  Commissioner Conner was a fourth-generation farmer who grew up 
learning the value of hard work on his family's farm in Starke, Florida 
where he helped raise cattle, grow strawberries and cut timber. 
Commissioner Conner was a born leader, and he was active in his 
community from a very young age. He participated in his local 4-H club 
and eventually became president of the Alachua County branch of 4-H. In 
1947, he graduated from high school and enrolled at the University of 
Florida where he became involved in the Future Farmers of America 
(FFA), serving as the president of FFA at both the state and national 
levels.
  In 1950, while still a 21-year-old student at the University of 
Florida, Commissioner Conner was elected to the Florida House of 
Representatives. Despite his youth, he quickly established himself as a 
serious and committed statesman who was respected by his

[[Page E1974]]

colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Due to his assiduous work ethic 
and natural leadership, Commissioner Conner quickly rose through the 
ranks of the Florida House of Representatives. In 1957, at the age of 
only 28, Commissioner Conner was elected as the Speaker of the Florida 
House of Representatives, becoming the youngest Speaker in the state's 
history--a record that still stands today. While serving as Speaker, he 
helped craft legislation to promote and advance Florida's agricultural 
industry, including the landmark Green Belt Law. He also worked to 
establish first- class agricultural labs to help eradicate numerous 
diseases and predators and pave the way for the further development of 
the Florida agricultural industry.
  In 1960, after serving 10 years in the Florida House of 
Representatives, Commissioner Conner was elected as the Florida 
Commissioner of Agriculture, a position that he held until his 
retirement in 1991. Commissioner Conner brought his vast experience as 
both a farmer and a legislator to his new role and helped expand 
Florida's output from $900 million in 1960 to more than $6 billion at 
the time of his departure in 1991. Commissioner Conner was a tireless 
worker, who traveled around the world to promote Florida agriculture 
and open new markets for Florida's farmers. He also expanded on his 
earlier legislative efforts to combat diseases, and under his 
leadership, Florida established a method for detecting the 
Mediterranean fruit fly which became the worldwide standard.
  His excellence and leadership in Florida was recognized nationally, 
and he was even asked by President Kennedy to move to Washington to 
lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After thanking the President 
for his offer, Commissioner Conner respectfully informed him that he 
wanted to keep his family in Florida and continue serving the state he 
so deeply loved. For his service to the agricultural industry, he was 
presented with numerous awards and recognitions. He was inducted into 
the Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame, Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, the 
Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, and the Florida FAA Hall of Fame.
  Commissioner Conner also had an unwavering commitment to educating 
young people to help advance Florida's agricultural sector. He 
maintained a life-long relationship with his alma mater, serving as the 
president of the University of Florida National Alumni Association, and 
in 1972, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Today, the 
University of Florida maintains a scholarship in Commissioner Conner's 
name, which is awarded to students throughout Florida who display 
leadership in FFA and 4-H.
  Commissioner Conner served as a mentor to numerous individuals 
throughout his career. My wife Vicki and I both had the distinct 
privilege and honor of working for and learning from Commissioner 
Conner. His leadership and commitment to Florida helped inspire me and 
numerous others to pursue public service. His contribution to the state 
of Florida and our nation cannot be overstated, and his legacy will 
continue to inspire Floridians for generations to come.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress I am honored to 
recognize the life and service of a great man, Commissioner Doyle 
Conner. His contribution to Florida will never be forgotten. Vicki and 
I extend our most heartfelt condolences to the entire Conner family.

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