[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 10]
[House]
[Pages 13549-13550]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING THE LIFE OF ROBERT MONDAVI

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the 
concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 365) honoring the life of Robert 
Mondavi.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 365

       Whereas Robert Mondavi, a much-loved and admired man of 
     many talents, passed away on May 16, 2008, at the age of 94;
       Whereas Robert Mondavi will be fondly and most famously 
     remembered for his work in producing and promoting California 
     wines on an international scale;
       Whereas Robert Gerald Mondavi was born to Italian immigrant 
     parents, Cesare and Rose, on June 18, 1913, in Virginia, 
     Minnesota, and his family later moved to Lodi, California, 
     where he attended Lodi High School;
       Whereas after graduating from Stanford University in 1937 
     with a degree in economics and business administration, 
     Robert Mondavi joined his father and younger brother, Peter, 
     in running the Charles Krug Winery in the Napa Valley of 
     California;
       Whereas Robert Mondavi left Krug Winery in 1965 to 
     establish his own winery in the Napa Valley, and, in 1966, 
     motivated by his vision that California could produce world-
     class wines, he founded the first major winery built in Napa 
     Valley since Prohibition, the Robert Mondavi Winery;
       Whereas in the later 1960s, the release of the Robert 
     Mondavi Winery's Cabernet Sauvignon opened the eyes of the 
     world to the potential of the Napa Valley region;
       Whereas Robert Mondavi introduced new and innovative 
     techniques of wine production, such as the use of stainless 
     steel tanks to produce wines, like his now-legendary Fume 
     Blanc;
       Whereas as a tireless advocate for California wine and 
     food, and the Napa Valley, Robert Mondavi was convinced that 
     California wines could compete with established European 
     brands, and his confidence in the potential of Napa Valley 
     wines was confirmed in 1976 when California wines defeated 
     some well-known French vintages at the historic Paris Wine 
     Tasting, or ``Judgement of Paris'', wine competition;
       Whereas in the late 1970s, Robert Mondavi created the first 
     French-American wine venture when he joined with Baron 
     Philippe de Rothschild in creating the Opus One Winery in 
     Oakville, which produced its first vintage in 1979;
       Whereas the success of the Robert Mondavi Winery, and the 
     many international ventures Robert Mondavi pursued, allowed 
     him to donate generously to various charitable causes, 
     including the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food 
     Science and Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for Performing 
     Arts, both affiliated with the University of California, 
     Davis, and the establishment of the American Center for Wine, 
     Food, and the Arts;
       Whereas those who knew Robert Mondavi recognized him as a 
     uniquely passionate and brilliant man who took pride in 
     promoting causes that he held close to his heart;
       Whereas Robert Mondavi's work as an ambassador for wine 
     will be remembered fondly by all those whose lives he 
     touched; and
       Whereas Robert Mondavi will be deeply missed in the Napa 
     Valley, in California, and throughout the world: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That Congress honors the life of Robert Mondavi, 
     a true pioneer and patriarch of the California wine industry.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Missouri (Mr. Clay) and the gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Foxx) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may 
have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, representing the Committee on Oversight and 
Government Reform, I am pleased to join my colleagues in the 
consideration of H.Con.Res 365, which celebrates the life of Robert 
Mondavi, a notable winemaker and philanthropist who had a great effect 
in boosting the economic and cultural well-being of California and the 
Nation.
  Robert Mondavi was born on June 18, 1913 in Virginia, Minnesota to 
Italian immigrants. In 1965, Mr. Mondavi started his own winery, the 
Robert Mondavi Winery, in the fertile soil of the Napa Valley and 
immediately became a passionate advocate for California wines. Through 
his vineyard, he worked to raise the status of California wines and was 
successful.
  Through his professional and charitable work, Mr. Mondavi's influence 
on the California wine industry and the Nation at large has been 
immense and lasting. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge the swift approval 
of this resolution honoring the life of Mr. Mondavi.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as the proud granddaughter of Italian immigrants, I am 
always proud to recognize the achievements of Italian Americans.
  I also want to say how grateful North Carolina is for the work that 
was done by Mr. Mondavi and others in creating an appetite for fine 
wine in this country.
  The Fifth District of North Carolina, the district that I represent, 
has, in the last couple of years, been granted two appellations, the 
Yadkin Valley and Swan Creek appellations, and we hope some day that 
those appellations will be spoken of in the same way that the Napa 
Valley and other appellations are spoken of currently in our country 
and around the world.
  I commend the resolution to my colleagues and urge its approval.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in adopting 
this resolution.
  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life and 
legacy of the late Robert Mondavi, a founding father of the American 
wine industry.
  Mr. Mondavi was born to Italian immigrants in June 1913. He graduated 
from Stanford University and joined his family in running Charles Krug 
Winery in my hometown of St. Helena.
  Nearly three decades later, he founded the Robert Mondavi Winery to 
make his dream of creating world-class California wines a reality. Only 
a few years later, he released a Cabernet Sauvignon that opened the 
eyes of the world to the potential of the Napa Valley region.
  He went on to create the first French-American wine venture, the 
first of many international partnerships.
  His work made him known throughout the world as a premier winemaker 
and businessman. His pursuit of excellence and passion for winemaking 
could be found in every sip of a Robert Mondavi vintage.
  Through innovation and determination, he redefined American wines and 
helped propel the birth of one of our Nation's fastest growing 
industries. Robert Mondavi's leadership is irreplaceable.
  But to me and many others, he was best known--and loved--as a dear 
friend, a pillar of the community, and a much-admired philanthropist.
  I was fortunate to know Mr. Mondavi my whole life. I grew up with his 
children and I

[[Page 13550]]

later worked with him on issues important to the wine community. Of all 
his accomplishments, it was his commitment to our community that I 
found most awe inspiring.
  A lifelong student himself, Bob established the Robert Mondavi 
Institute for Wine and Food Science at the University of California at 
Davis so that future generations could continue improving his craft.
  He also established the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for 
Performing Arts at UC Davis. He was a leading force in the creation of 
Copia: The American Institute for Food, Wine, and the Arts in downtown 
Napa. He helped found the Napa Valley Wine Auction, which raises 
millions of dollars to help many of our local charities. He was also a 
strong and steady voice for the conservation of our farmlands.
  Mr. Mondavi's legacy, can be found throughout the world. But it is 
most treasured at home. My district would not be what it is today 
without him.
  I will miss him greatly. My thoughts and prayers are with Margrit, 
sons Tim and Michael, daughter Marcia and his entire family.
   Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that this resolution serves as a tribute 
to the unparalleled life of Robert Mondavi.
  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to support H. Con. Res. 365, 
which my fellow co-chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, Mike 
Thompson and I introduced in remembrance of a friend and giant in the 
California and international wine community, Robert Mondavi, who passed 
away in May of this year.
  Robert may most be remembered for his tremendous success in producing 
and promoting California wines to the international community. After 
graduating from Stanford, Robert joined his family in running the 
Charles Krug winery in Napa, and then went on to found the Robert 
Mondavi Winery in 1966.
  His tireless efforts to introduce California wine to the world and 
compete against established European wines are much of the reason why 
winemaking in California is now an 18 billion dollar industry--the 
largest retail wine market in the world. In fact, the United States 
accounts for 61 percent of wine sold in the world. This would not be 
possible without the lifetime of hard work by Robert Mondavi.
  He was also extremely involved in charitable causes across the 
country to promote wine, food and the arts.
  Robert Mondavi was an inspiration to my own winemaking ventures as 
I'm sure he was to many boutique winemakers across the country. Such 
inspiration has led to wine being produced in all 50 States. His 
innovation, spirit and passion for winemaking will be sorely missed 
throughout our Nation and the world.
  Ms. WOOLSEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 365, a 
resolution celebrating the accomplished life and enduring legacy of 
Robert Mondavi, whose vision helped propel California winemakers as 
leaders in the international wine market.
  Robert Mondavi was born to a family of Italian immigrants on June 18, 
1913. In 1923, his father moved the family to Lodi, California, to 
pursue an interest in the grape business. Following in his father's 
footsteps, a young Robert Mondavi began working at Sunny St. Helena 
Winery in the 1930s, and then later at Charles Krug Winery after his 
father had purchased the business.
  Less than three decades later, Mr. Mondavi had founded the Robert 
Mondavi Winery to fulfill his vision of developing world-class Napa 
Valley wines. He later went on to establish the first French-American 
wine venture, one of many international collaborations. These efforts 
helped to drive the Mondavi name to be synonymous with premier 
California wines.
  However, Mr. Mondavi's accomplishments were not limited to the wine 
industry. His philanthropic and charitable contributions to the 
community, including founding the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and 
Food Science at the University of California at Davis, the Robert and 
Magrit Mondavi Center for Performing Arts at UC Davis, the Napa Valley 
Wine Auction, which has raised millions of dollars for local charities, 
and his tireless efforts for the conservation of American farmlands all 
have left an indelible impact on our country.
  Mr. Mondavi's bold innovations laid the foundations for many of the 
wine growers in my Congressional District. His efforts contributed to 
the success of these wineries now enjoy as one of the world's pre-
eminent wine making regions. Mr. Speaker, Robert Mondavi's life and 
leadership should be applauded, and I urge my colleagues to join me in 
honoring Robert Mondavi by passing this important resolution.
  Mr. CLAY. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Clay) that the House suspend the rules and 
agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res 365.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a 
quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not 
present.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.
  The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.

                          ____________________