[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 1581]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF MR. ROBERT CRAVES

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SUZAN K. DelBENE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, February 2, 2015

  Ms. DelBENE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert 
``Bob'' Craves, who recently passed away at the age of 72.
  I would like to honor Bob Craves, a founding officer of Costco, for 
his support of students throughout Washington state in their pursuit of 
a college degree. In 2000, Mr. Craves started the College Success 
Foundation, which provides scholarships and mentoring to low-income and 
first-generation Washington students. Mr. Craves served as CEO of the 
foundation until his retirement in 2013, and thereafter remained with 
the organization as a member of the Board of Directors.
  His efforts to make higher education accessible were not isolated to 
Washington state. The foundation estimates that 5,000 students across 
the country are currently enrolled in college due to the generosity of 
Craves' work. The organization has raised an estimated $600 million, 
and now includes a branch in Washington, DC.
  Scholarship recipients continue to vocally express the meaningful 
impact Mr. Craves had on their lives by providing them with the 
opportunity to attend college. Several have gone back to work with the 
non-profit upon graduation to offer career training services and help 
graduates find jobs.
  I would like to commemorate Bob Craves on his lifetime of 
achievements. He will be remembered by his uplifting demeanor and 
unfailing optimism, and as a committed community servant whose 
significant work will continue to echo in years to come. My thoughts go 
out to his wife, Gerry, and all of his family and friends.

                          ____________________