S*0708 Resolution, By Saleeby
 A Senate Resolution to honor the memory of Mr. Robert R. Coker of Hartsville,
 South Carolina, for his years of outstanding service to the people of this
 State and Nation and his devotion to agricultural excellence in South
 Carolina.

   04/20/93  Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-20

A SENATE RESOLUTION

TO HONOR THE MEMORY OF MR. ROBERT R. COKER OF HARTSVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, FOR HIS YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS STATE AND NATION AND HIS DEVOTION TO AGRICULTURE AND THE PURSUIT OF AGRICULTURAL EXCELLENCE IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker was an outstanding South Carolinian of Darlington County, born and raised in Hartsville, South Carolina; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert Coker was educated at the Webb School in Tennessee and did graduate from the University of South Carolina; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert Coker has held the position of Director for the Bank of Hartsville, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, the Sonoco Products Company, Pacolet Industries, and the Textile Paper Tube Company of Romiley, England; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker played an integral part in the founding of the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and was the first President of the South Carolina Farm Bureau, and became a Life-Time Member of the South Carolina Farm Bureau Board of Directors; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker demonstrated his agricultural achievements on a national level as the Vice-President of the National Cotton Council from 1939 until 1944, and as the President of the National Cotton Council in 1945, and as the Chairman of the Board of the National Cotton Council in 1964; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker became the President of the Coker Seed Company in 1951, and under his supervision the Coker experimental farms in the Pee Dee Area of South Carolina became internationally known as a center for agricultural production and education; and

Whereas, farmers from around the world came to observe the Coker seed laboratories, greenhouses, nurseries, test plots, and processing plants and to learn the latest developments and technologies in seed-breeding techniques and seed performance characteristics; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker achieved further national distinction as a member of the National Advisory Committee under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, and as a member of the Department of Agriculture's Research Policy Committee, and as a member of the Agricultural Mobilization Policy Board, and as a member of the Agricultural Trade Mission to Latin America in 1954; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker proved his devotion to agricultural excellence through education as a member of Clemson University's Founders Society, and through receiving an Honorary Doctorate of Science Degree from Clemson University in 1955, and the appointment as Honorary President of the Clemson University Agronomy Club, and being appointed a Life Member of the Clemson University Board of Trustees; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker was awarded Clemson University's highest honor, the Clemson Medallion in 1985; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker became well known for his fight against the boll weevil, the bane of the cotton farmer, by establishing a boll weevil laboratory at Mississippi State University, and as a major force behind the industry-wide movement to eliminate the boll weevil; and

Whereas, Mr. Robert R. Coker once said his most fervent ambition was to be a pall bearer at the funeral of the last boll weevil;

It is hereby resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate of South Carolina, by this resolution, praises the life-long efforts of Mr. Robert R. Coker, who has distinguished himself in his efforts in agriculture and agricultural education, and

The Senate of South Carolina declares this day "Robert Coker Day" in the Senate in appreciation of Mr. Coker's many outstanding achievements.

It is also resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Mr. Robert R. Coker.