Floor SpeechNeutral2025-12-19

HONORING ROBERT "BOBBY" P. KOCH

TaxesEnvironmentTradeInfrastructureAgriculture

Context

On 2025-12-19, Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "HONORING ROBERT "BOBBY" P. KOCH" in the House. The speech addressed taxes and also covered the environment, trade policy.

Full Text

HONORING ROBERT "BOBBY" P. KOCH

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 215 (Friday, December 19, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 215 (Friday, December 19, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1236-E1237] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ROBERT ``BOBBY'' P. KOCH ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Friday, December 19, 2025 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Dan Newhouse, to honor Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' P. Koch, as he retires after 33 years of dedicated service and commitment to Wine Institute and our American wine community. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Wine Caucus, we have seen firsthand his many contributions to the long-term success and growth of American grown and produced wine. Bobby graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics. Before joining Wine Institute, Bobby held senior positions in Congress with former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and former House Majority Whip Tony Coelho, bringing valuable legislative experience to his work in the wine community. He is married to Doro Bush Koch, and they have four children and two grandchildren. Bobby's service on behalf of wineries throughout California, Washington, and wine regions all over the country spans more than three decades during which the wine sector experienced significant growth while facing numerous challenges. He joined Wine Institute, the only organization advocating for American wine at the state, federal, and international levels, in 1992 as Vice President of Federal Government Relations. Bobby later became Senior Vice President in 1996 and was appointed President and CEO in 2003, a position he has held for 22 years. Under his leadership, Wine Institute has grown to represent more than 1,000 California wineries and businesses responsible for over 80 percent of U.S. wine production and more than 95 percent of American wine exports. Wine Institute also doubled its membership, and the organization built a best-in-class staff dedicated to protecting and promoting the wine community. Throughout his tenure, Bobby's leadership has been guided by his unwavering belief in the positive impact of wine as one of America's most highly value-added agricultural products. He has rightfully been recognized for his ability to bridge the interests of small and large wineries in policy debates, leading Wine Institute and the broader wine community with a unified voice. Major achievements during his tenure include expanding direct-to-consumer wine shipping to 48 states and the District of Columbia, defeating wholesaler monopoly protection legislation in numerous states, and securing passage of the Craft Beverage Modernization Act, which has enabled American wineries to reinvest over $600 million to grow their businesses since 2018. Bobby also secured Congressional affirmation in the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act and preserved the balance of federal and state authority in alcohol regulation. Bobby's leadership extended to sustainability and international market development. Under his direction, Wine Institute positioned America as a global leader in wine quality, innovation, and sustainability. Today, 90 percent of California wine is produced in certified sustainable wineries, and 65 percent of the state's vineyard acreage is certified sustainable, demonstrating the community's commitment under Bobby to environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and community engagement. He increased American wine exports with dedicated marketing programs in more than 40 countries and serves as a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade, as well as on the board of directors of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Mr. Speaker, we thank Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' P. Koch for his more than three decades of dedication, service and leadership on behalf of our American wine community. Therefore, it is [[Page E1237]] fitting and proper that we honor him here today as he retires from Wine Institute. ____________________

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HONORING ROBERT "BOBBY" P. KOCH Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 215 (Friday, December 19, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 215 (Friday, December 19, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages E1236-E1237] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] HONORING ROBERT ``BOBBY'' P. KOCH ______ HON. MIKE THOMPSON of california in the house of representatives Friday, December 19, 2025 Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today along with my colleague, Congressman Dan Newhouse, to honor Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' P. Koch, as he retires after 33 years of dedicated service and commitment to Wine Institute and our American wine community. As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Wine Caucus, we have seen firsthand his many contributions to the long-term success and growth of American grown and produced wine. Bobby graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Politics. Before joining Wine Institute, Bobby held senior positions in Congress with former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and former House Majority Whip Tony Coelho, bringing valuable legislative experience to his work in the wine community. He is married to Doro Bush Koch, and they have four children and two grandchildren. Bobby's service on behalf of wineries throughout California, Washington, and wine regions all over the country spans more than three decades during which the wine sector experienced significant growth while facing numerous challenges. He joined Wine Institute, the only organization advocating for American wine at the state, federal, and international levels, in 1992 as Vice President of Federal Government Relations. Bobby later became Senior Vice President in 1996 and was appointed President and CEO in 2003, a position he has held for 22 years. Under his leadership, Wine Institute has grown to represent more than 1,000 California wineries and businesses responsible for over 80 percent of U.S. wine production and more than 95 percent of American wine exports. Wine Institute also doubled its membership, and the organization built a best-in-class staff dedicated to protecting and promoting the wine community. Throughout his tenure, Bobby's leadership has been guided by his unwavering belief in the positive impact of wine as one of America's most highly value-added agricultural products. He has rightfully been recognized for his ability to bridge the interests of small and large wineries in policy debates, leading Wine Institute and the broader wine community with a unified voice. Major achievements during his tenure include expanding direct-to-consumer wine shipping to 48 states and the District of Columbia, defeating wholesaler monopoly protection legislation in numerous states, and securing passage of the Craft Beverage Modernization Act, which has enabled American wineries to reinvest over $600 million to grow their businesses since 2018. Bobby also secured Congressional affirmation in the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act and preserved the balance of federal and state authority in alcohol regulation. Bobby's leadership extended to sustainability and international market development. Under his direction, Wine Institute positioned America as a global leader in wine quality, innovation, and sustainability. Today, 90 percent of California wine is produced in certified sustainable wineries, and 65 percent of the state's vineyard acreage is certified sustainable, demonstrating the community's commitment under Bobby to environmental stewardship, economic vitality, and community engagement. He increased American wine exports with dedicated marketing programs in more than 40 countries and serves as a member of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee for Trade, as well as on the board of directors of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance. Mr. Speaker, we thank Mr. Robert ``Bobby'' P. Koch for his more than three decades of dedication, service and leadership on behalf of our American wine community. Therefore, it is [[Page E1237]] fitting and proper that we honor him here today as he retires from Wine Institute. ____________________