[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 120 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





               CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF DON KOEHLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AUSTIN SCOTT

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 22, 2026

  Mr. AUSTIN SCOTT of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, along with my 
colleague Representative Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., to congratulate Don 
Koehler on his remarkable career and to extend our appreciation for his 
decades of dedicated service to Georgia's agriculture community.
  Since 1986, Don has served as Executive Director of the Georgia 
Peanut Commission. Throughout his distinguished career, he has provided 
exceptional leadership to organizations including the Southern Peanut 
Growers, the Southern Peanut Farmers Federation the U.S. Peanut 
Federation, the American Peanut Council, and the American Peanut 
Shellers Association. As Chairman of the Agricultural Technical 
Advisory Committee, he has also helped shape U.S. agricultural trade 
policy by advising both the Department of Agriculture and the Office of 
the U.S. Trade Representative.
  Don's leadership has strengthened Georgia's peanut industry, expanded 
opportunities for producers, and elevated the voice of American 
agriculture at home and abroad. His lasting contributions have been 
recognized through numerous honors, including being named one of 
Georgia Trend's 500 Most Influential Georgians for three consecutive 
years and his induction into the Georgia Peanut Commission Hall of Fame 
earlier this year.
  The mark that Don has left on this industry will not be forgotten. On 
behalf of Georgia's 8th and 2nd Congressional Districts, and a grateful 
agricultural community, we thank him for his remarkable service and 
wish him and Cheryl every happiness in retirement. May his next chapter 
be filled with good health, cherished time with his children and four 
grandchildren, and the many blessings he has so richly earned.

                          ____________________