Honoring the life of Robert Mondavi.

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 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. 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. 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.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 365) honoring the life of Robert Mondavi.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join us in adopting this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

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. 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.