[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 65 (Thursday, April 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E313]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING BOBBY BEAGLES FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO CENTRAL FLORIDA

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                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2025

  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, Bobby Beagles diligently served the 
agriculture community throughout his career. Agricultural issues were 
always better served with Bobby as an advocate at the county, state, 
and national levels.
  As a cattle rancher, Bobby early on recognized that ``what was good 
for all agriculture was good for his farm.'' in effect, he embraced the 
idea that ``all boats rise with the tide.'' As such, he embarked on a 
path of agricultural advocacy. Whether it be at a local community 
meeting or hundreds of county board meetings, Bobby was a voice to be 
reckoned with. He was unrelenting and tireless in representing 
agriculture.
  His legislative advocacy at all levels of government was never-
ending. It was no surprise when Bobby was asked to be then-Speaker of 
the Florida House of Representatives Tom Feeney's agricultural liaison. 
He carried that privilege and honor to Washington, D.C., when Speaker 
Feeney became Congressman Feeney.
  Bobby's heart was always about the youth--from the earliest days of 
buying animals at the county fair to timelessly encouraging auto 
dealerships and any number of businesses to purchase the kids' market 
livestock project. On a not-to-be-ignored side note, at the request of 
then-Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, Bobby was asked to rewrite the 
livestock section of the zoning laws. These laws today allow FFA and 4H 
to house some of their agriculture projects at home.
  His work with the youth led to numerous awards from the local FFA 
chapters as well as the state and national associations. He was honored 
to be awarded the Honorary Florida State FFA Degree and the American 
FFA Degree. In addition to those accolades, he was inducted into the 
Florida 4-H Hall of Fame.
  Bobby served as Orange County Farm Bureau executive director for 13 
years. Prior to that, he was a board member for 17 years. His work in 
this capacity has made him ``Mr. Agriculture'' in our area of the 
state.
  In 2007, Bobby received the prestigious Jefferson Award. This award 
is given to an individual who has devoted their life to exceptional 
public service in any arena. He was nominated for this award by then-
Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty and Orange County Extension. This 
represented a body of work that included procuring $12 million for the 
construction of a new extension office in Orange County.
  This refrain is consistent with Bobby Beagles' character. In 2002, 
Bobby was awarded the Friend of Extension Award from Epsilon Sigma Phi 
State. This award traditionally recognizes individuals who have been 
true Friends of Extension. A year after receiving the Jefferson Award, 
Bobby received the Florida Farm Bureau's Distinguished Service Award. 
The award honors Florida agriculturalists for their overall 
contributions to farming at the local or state level.
  Bobby Beagles was married to Vickie Beagles and had a son, Thomas 
Beagles, a daughter, Rachel Kelly, and five grandchildren.

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