[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17461]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               BOB BIRD: GENTLEMAN, ADVOCATE, AND FRIEND

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARCY KAPTUR

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 20, 2001

  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, our friends at the other cereal company may 
think they have something that's ``Grrreat'', but for nearly 25 years, 
true greatness has been present at General Mills in the form of one 
outstanding gentleman, Mr. Bob Bird. Bob is retiring after more heart-
felt skirmishes than some of our greatest generals, and is being feted 
by friends and colleagues this evening for a career that is worthy of 
admiration.
  From his early days as a copyboy at The New York Post through his 
years with the Baltimore Sun and then writing for Jack Anderson and 
Drew Pearson, Bob Bird has had a keen appreciation for news. He went 
from reporting it to creating it during his days with Sargent Shriver 
at the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, then director of 
governmental relations for the National Center for Resource Recovery, 
and then with the Senate Subcommittee on Executive Reorganization under 
Senator Abraham Ribicoff.
  Many of our colleagues know Bob Bird from his stellar days with 
General Mills, where he has worked to represent one of our Nation's 
finest food companies in a most responsible and successful fashion. In 
particular, Bob's efforts on behalf of General Mills to support food 
assistance programs to critically at risk women, infants, and children, 
have earned him the respect and praise of colleagues, of food program 
advocates, and respected members of the nutrition community. Acting 
always as a true professional, no one could doubt that this gentleman 
of good humor was always acting in an honorable and forthright fashion.
  Bob likes to mention that a lesson he learned early in his career is 
that it is most important to listen, to hear the ideas of others, and 
to evaluate all information that may be at hand. This method of 
operation has allowed him to act as a well-informed advocate for 
General Mills who is welcomed by those who agree with him, as well as 
those who may have other views. A man of honor who knows how to operate 
in an honorable fashion is a precious commodity, so I assure you that 
he will be truly missed by all of us who have come to depend on him as 
an advisor. And those of us who may be fortunate enough to call him a 
friend will look forward to more contacts with him in the years to 
come, but will still miss having him come by as frequently as he had in 
the past.
  With his wonderful wife Lillian, and his family, perhaps Bob will 
have a better chance to continue his love of jazz, his voracious 
reading, or his skilled appreciation for thoroughbred horse racing. 
These relaxations are well earned. But I am also certain that this man 
of skills and commitment will have many more opportunities to leave his 
impression on important policy matters.
  So from one member who represents the Cheerios Capitol of the World, 
Toledo, OH, let me say to the man who helped make this Capitol cheerier 
on many days, Bob, thank you. We are blessed to have known and worked 
with you. We wish you the best and look forward to seeing your smiling 
self for many days to come.

                          ____________________