[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 114 (Thursday, July 14, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1125-E1126]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  IN RECOGNITION OF DON KOEHLER 30 YEARS WITH THE GA PEANUT COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 14, 2016

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to extend 
heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Don Koehler, the Executive Director 
for the Georgia Peanut Commission, as he celebrates 30 years of service 
with this esteemed organization.
  Born on a small livestock and row crop farm, in southwest Alabama, 
Don Koehler has had an interest in agriculture since childhood. His 
experience and knowledge of agriculture and the peanut industry 
influenced his decision to attend and graduate from Auburn University, 
in 1979, where he received his Bachelors of Science degree in Animal 
Science. The experience that he has accumulated from his childhood on 
the farm and years in the classroom ultimately led to his decision of 
pursuing a career in agriculture.
  In 1986, Mr. Koehler accepted the prestigious honor in becoming the 
Executive Director for the Georgia Peanut Commission (GPC) and is 
currently the longest standing Executive Director in GPC history. Don 
is extremely passionate in helping to promote peanut research, 
particularly the peanut genome, as well as improving the production 
capacity of peanut farmers in Georgia and throughout the country.
  Georgia peanut farmers are responsible for producing nearly half of 
the United States' peanut crops, and the production levels continue to 
increase annually. In fact, I'm proud to say that the 2nd Congressional 
District which I represent, is the largest producer of peanuts in the 
Nation. Since Don's induction as Executive Director, the production 
levels of the commodity have nearly tripled.
  Under Don's leadership, the Georgia peanut industry led the nation in 
the export of peanuts globally; including China and Western Europe. In 
April 2016, 74,268 Metric Tons of peanuts and peanut products had been 
exported to

[[Page E1126]]

various regions of Asia including, China and Vietnam. The improvements 
of exporting relations of peanut to Asia have been tremendous. Last 
year Georgia peanut exports had a total value of $81,592,245, which is 
a 530% increase over the previous year.
  The state of Georgia certainly appreciates what Don has done in the 
peanut industry over his 30 year tenure. He has earned much deserved 
respect as a result of his leadership and contributions to the Georgia 
Peanut Commission as their Executive Director.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues in the House of Representatives to 
join me, along with all those associated with Georgia peanuts in 
congratulating Mr. Don Koehler for everything he has done to improve 
and strengthen the peanut industry in Georgia and the peanut industry 
nationwide.

                          ____________________