[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 215 (Friday, December 19, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1236-E1237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING ROBERT ``BOBBY'' P. KOCH

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 19, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my 
colleague, Congressman Dan Newhouse, to honor Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' P. 
Koch, as he retires after 33 years of dedicated service and commitment 
to Wine Institute and our American wine community. As Co-Chairs of the 
Congressional Wine Caucus, we have seen firsthand his many 
contributions to the long-term success and growth of American grown and 
produced wine.
  Bobby graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of 
Arts in Government and Politics. Before joining Wine Institute, Bobby 
held senior positions in Congress with former House Majority Leader 
Richard Gephardt and former House Majority Whip Tony Coelho, bringing 
valuable legislative experience to his work in the wine community. He 
is married to Doro Bush Koch, and they have four children and two 
grandchildren.
  Bobby's service on behalf of wineries throughout California, 
Washington, and wine regions all over the country spans more than three 
decades during which the wine sector experienced significant growth 
while facing numerous challenges. He joined Wine Institute, the only 
organization advocating for American wine at the state, federal, and 
international levels, in 1992 as Vice President of Federal Government 
Relations. Bobby later became Senior Vice President in 1996 and was 
appointed President and CEO in 2003, a position he has held for 22 
years. Under his leadership, Wine Institute has grown to represent more 
than 1,000 California wineries and businesses responsible for over 80 
percent of U.S. wine production and more than 95 percent of American 
wine exports. Wine Institute also doubled its membership, and the 
organization built a best-in-class staff dedicated to protecting and 
promoting the wine community.
  Throughout his tenure, Bobby's leadership has been guided by his 
unwavering belief in the positive impact of wine as one of America's 
most highly value-added agricultural products. He has rightfully been 
recognized for his ability to bridge the interests of small and large 
wineries in policy debates, leading Wine Institute and the broader wine 
community with a unified voice. Major achievements during his tenure 
include expanding direct-to-consumer wine shipping to 48 states and the 
District of Columbia, defeating wholesaler monopoly protection 
legislation in numerous states, and securing passage of the Craft 
Beverage Modernization Act, which has enabled American wineries to 
reinvest over $600 million to grow their businesses since 2018. Bobby 
also secured Congressional affirmation in the 21st Amendment 
Enforcement Act and preserved the balance of federal and state 
authority in alcohol regulation.
  Bobby's leadership extended to sustainability and international 
market development. Under his direction, Wine Institute positioned 
America as a global leader in wine quality, innovation, and 
sustainability. Today, 90 percent of California wine is produced in 
certified sustainable wineries, and 65 percent of the state's vineyard 
acreage is certified sustainable, demonstrating the community's 
commitment under Bobby to environmental stewardship, economic vitality, 
and community engagement. He increased American wine exports with 
dedicated marketing programs in more than 40 countries and serves as a 
member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Policy 
Advisory Committee for Trade, as well as on the board of directors of 
the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance.
  Mr. Speaker, we thank Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' P. Koch for his more than 
three decades of dedication, service and leadership on behalf of our 
American wine community. Therefore, it is

[[Page E1237]]

fitting and proper that we honor him here today as he retires from Wine 
Institute.

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