House Honors Life of Wine Icon Robert Mondavi
June 26, 2008
WASHINGTON - Today, the House of Representatives passed a resolution honoring the life of the late Robert Mondavi, a pioneer of the American wine industry.
H. Con. Res. 365 was introduced by Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley), Mr. Mondavi's U.S. Representative and friend. A companion resolution was introduced by Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, and was passed by the Senate.
“Mr. Mondavi's pursuit of excellence and passion for winemaking could be found in every sip of a Robert Mondavi vintage,” said Thompson. “Through innovation and determination, he redefined American wines and influenced the growth and prosperity of one of our nation's most important industries. Robert Mondavi's leadership is irreplaceable.”
The resolution details the years of tireless commitment Mr. Mondavi put into his dream of making California wines among the best in the world. It describes the rise of the Robert Mondavi Winery to worldwide acclaim and Mr. Mondavi's many successful international ventures.
It also lauds his enormous passion for promoting philanthropic causes, including his generous donations to establish the Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science and the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for Performing Arts at UC Davis and Copia: The American Institute for Food, Wine and the Arts in downtown Napa.
“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,” said Thompson. “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 inspiring.”
“Mr. Mondavi's legacy can be found throughout the world, but it is most treasured at home,” said Thompson. “Our district would not be what it is today without him. I will miss him greatly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Margrit, sons Michael and Tim, daughter Marcia and his entire family.
Full text of the resolution can be found below.
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CONTACT: Anne Warden at (202) 225-3311, (703) 338-4480 or anne.warden@mail.house.gov
