[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 68 (Wednesday, May 15, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        RECOGNIZING MR. JOE COX

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 15, 2013

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Joe Cox for his 
many years of dedication to the Los Banos Future Farmers of America 
(FFA) as they celebrate the 50th Anniversary of their win at the FFA 
Nationals Contest. His commitment to young participants of the FFA 
program as well as many other community activities, make Joe Cox most 
deserving of this honor.
  Joe Cox was born in Booneville, Arkansas in 1925. During the Great 
Depression, his family--including his two sisters, parents and 
grandmother--decided to leave Arkansas. They traveled across the 
country for two years, camping along the way, until they made it to 
Reedley, California.
  Once the family settled in Reedley, Joe was able to return to school. 
Joe's family moved around the Reedley area, wherever there was work for 
his father. During one year, his family moved eight times. Even though 
his life was at times unstable, he was inspired by his father's 
commitment to working hard and supporting his family. This lifestyle 
also sparked his devotion to his life in education and his empathy for 
students who had to overcome obstacles.
  As Joe graduated high school and World War II ensued, Joe decided to 
enlist in the Navy. He was assigned to the radio operators training 
after just five weeks of basic training. After his education was 
complete, Joe volunteered to serve on submarines. Out of one hundred 
volunteers, Joe was chosen as one of five to attend submarine school. 
He was assigned to a tender ship, the U.S.S. Orion, and the U.S.S. 
Batfish, which patrolled off the coasts of Japan.
  When the war was over and he was discharged, Joe joined his brother-
in-law in the farming business. After farming for several years, Joe 
decided that he wanted to continue his education. He attended Reedley 
College and then California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in 
San Luis Obispo. Joe was in his first quarter at Cal Poly, when he was 
called to serve in the Korean War. After two years, he was able to 
return to Cal Poly and complete his degree and teaching credential.
  Joe began his teaching career as an Ag Science teacher with Los Banos 
High School in 1955. He went on to become the Agriculture Department 
Chair, which he turned into a highly respected program. In the spring 
of 1963, Joe coached the Los Banos High School FFA team to a first 
place finish at the state dairy judging contest, and then went on to 
win the National title in Waterloo, Iowa.
  Joe continued to take summer classes to further his knowledge in the 
education field. He earned a master's degree in education from Cal Poly 
in 1957. Then in 1981, he earned his doctoral degree in education from 
the University of Southern California. Joe shifted his career into 
administration when he took the role of Assistant Principal at Los 
Banos High School in 1963 and Principal in 1969. One of Joe's 
assignments was to focus on adult education, which eventually led him 
to a position at the new Merced College Los Banos campus to run the 
evening programs. In 1982, he took the position of Principal at the 
junior high in Los Banos where he stayed until his retirement in 1988.
  During his retirement, Joe has done more than many people do in a 
lifetime. He served for 12 years on the Los Banos Unified School Board. 
In addition, he served as President of the Los Banos Golden Agers, 
District Governor in Rotary, Chair of the California Seniors 
Legislature and most recently National President of the U.S. Submarine 
Veterans of World War II. The City of Los Banos recently acknowledged 
his longtime service to the community by inducting him into the Los 
Banos High History-Society Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great respect that I ask my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to recognize the leadership and commitment Mr. 
Cox has shown to Los Banos and the Future Farmers of America. He 
personifies a man of principle and integrity. Joe Cox is a role model 
for all of us, and it is with great pride that I recognize him for 
everything he does for our community.

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