[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 12]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 17975]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING ROBERT BRUCE CHRISTMAS UPON RECEIVING THE 2011 WASHINGTON 
  COUNTY EXTENSION SERVICE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE TO AGRICULTURE AWARD

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JEFF MILLER

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 17, 2011

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Robert 
Bruce Christmas for receiving the 2011 Washington County Extension 
Service Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award. Bruce and his 
family have dedicated their lives to the field of agriculture, and I am 
proud to recognize their achievements before the United States 
Congress.
  Bruce was born to a farm family in 1933, becoming the fifth 
generation of Christmas farmers in the Florida Panhandle that stretches 
back to 1848. He graduated from Cottondale in 1951, received his 
associate's degree from Chipola College in 1953, and his bachelor's 
degree from the University of Florida in 1955. He maintained a thirst 
for learning by earning a Masters of Animal Nutrition in 1959 and a PhD 
in Poultry Nutrition and Management in 1972, both as a Florida Gator. 
Bruce also served his country as a member of the United States Army, 
both active duty and reserve, where he achieved the rank of Sergeant.
  Of the 32 years of Bruce's professional service, 21 were spent 
conducting Research and Field Demonstration Trials. He began as the 
Assistant and Associate Extension Agent in Orange County, Florida and 
became one of the first assistants in Florida to be promoted to 
associate. Bruce then served as the Supervisor of the Florida Poultry 
Evaluation, continuing to work part-time even after his retirement.
  Over the course of his career, Bruce authored roughly 150 scientific 
and informational publications on poultry, swine, and beef research 
studies. He has been a member of the Farm Bureau since 1960 and served 
on the Washington County Farm Bureau Board for nearly 20 years, 16 of 
which he served as president. Bruce has also served on the Florida 
Agriculture and Regional Agriculture Councils, as well as the Florida 
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Alumni Board since its 
initiation. Bruce received the National Volunteer Service Award from 
the National Agriculture Alumni Association and has been inducted into 
the 4-H Hall of Fame.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the United States Congress, I am privileged 
to honor Bruce Christmas on his success. My wife Vicki and I are proud 
to congratulate Bruce, his wife of 53 years, Addie Ann; his children, 
Stuart, Robert, Jonathan, and Scott; and his entire extended family on 
this truly special occasion.

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