[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 127 (Friday, July 29, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E811]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF BOB SAKATA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. KEN BUCK

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 29, 2022

  Mr. BUCK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the generosity and 
patriotism of agricultural trailblazer Bob Sakata, who passed away on 
June 7, 2022, at the age of 96. Bob's life encapsulated the American 
principles of perseverance, endurance, and courage. Through his 
innovation and dedication, Bob left an indelible mark upon the Colorado 
community.
  In 1941, when the U.S. declared war against Japan, Bob and his family 
were sent to an internment camp in Topaz, Utah. With the assistance of 
his former high school teacher, who vouched for his character, Bob 
obtained an early release from the internment camp and relocated to 
Brighton, Colorado, where he worked on a dairy farm. In 1944, Bob's 
employer loaned him the money to purchase 40 acres of farmland in 
Brighton. This land paved the way for Bob and his family to start a new 
life following World War II.
  Bob became a giant in Colorado's agricultural industry and was 
renowned for his innovation in sweet corn growing. He transformed the 
industry in the 1980s with creative methods in seed development, 
consumer packaging, and the introduction of Sakata Farms Gourmet Sweet 
Corn. Through a dedicated work ethic and the assistance of his loving 
wife Joanna, Bob's farm would eventually grow from 40 acres to more 
than 3000 acres. Bob's agricultural knowledge resulted in two 
presidential nominations to the Advisory Board of the Commodity Credit 
Corporation.
  As his farm and fame grew, Bob remained dedicated to giving back to 
his community. He served fifteen years on Colorado's Water Quality 
Control Commission, working collaboratively to find ways to address 
water shortages impacting Colorado's farmers. Bob's ingenuity and 
charity led to his induction into the Colorado Business Hall of Fame 
and the Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. Over the years, Bob was a 
member of the Colorado State University Extension Advisory Board, 
Colorado's Food Safety Task Force, the Brighton Rotary Club, and the 
Brighton First Presbyterian Church. Furthermore, Bob spearheaded the 
campaign to build the National Japanese American Memorial to Patriotism 
in Washington, D.C.
  Bob Sakata is an example of the American dream. On behalf of the 
Fourth District of Colorado, it is my honor to recognize his many 
accomplishments and his legacy of generosity, faith, courage, and 
perseverance.

                          ____________________