S*708 Session 110 (1993-1994)
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.
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