[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF GEORGE W. KOCH

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Mr. FARR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend 
George W. Koch who passed away on January 26, at the age of 87.
   George William Koch was born on April 8, 1926, in Cincinnati. After 
serving in the Navy during World War II, he received a bachelor's 
degree in business in 1948, a bachelor of laws degree in 1950 and a 
juris doctor degree in 1950, all from the University of Cincinnati.
   After working as an assistant city attorney in Cincinnati, George 
became director of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants before joining 
Sears and then the Grocery Manufacturers of America.
   George led the Grocery Manufacturers of America, GMA, trade 
association from 1966 to 1990. He was an inspiring leader who led the 
GMA to become one of the most influential and effective trade 
associations in America. Last year, George W. Koch received the first-
ever Grocery Manufactures Association's Leadership in Public Policy and 
will name the award in his honor going forward.
   As consumers, we all benefit from George's leadership in promoting 
good practices at stores and grocery chains across America.
   Among his countless achievements, George is responsible for leading 
the initiative at GMA to introduce the Universal Product Code in 1974, 
and the development of tamper-resistant packaging in the wake of the 
Tylenol poisonings of 1982.
   He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Helen Lawton Koch; his six 
children, Jorie Koch Kenny, Daniel, Patrick, Robert, Monte, and Lucy 
Lawton Koch; and 14 grandchildren.
   Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of my friend George W. 
Koch and to wish his family peace and solace during this difficult 
time.

                          ____________________