Tribute to Walter Clore

TRIBUTE TO WALTER CLORE

Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, in February my State lost one of its great citizens and the father of the Washington State wine industry, Walter Clore.

My colleagues in the Senate may not know a fact that many wine drinkers around the globe have learned the last few years: Washington state produces some of the highest quality wine in the world. In 2001, Wine Enthusiast Magazine named Washington state as "Wine Region of the Year" in recognition of its fast emergence as a global leader in producing quality wines.

I am very pleased that Walter Clore lived to see this honor—and so many other honors—bestowed on Washington wine. These honors reflect just how far the Washington wine industry has come. They are also an outstanding tribute to the legacy of Walter Clore and his vision, hard work, and dedication.

I had the great privilege to meet Walter Clore in August 2002. That month, I spent two days traveling through Washington wine country—from Yakima to Prosser to the Tri-Cities to Walla Walla. I toured wineries and vineyards and visited with wine grape growers, vintners, and researchers.

Walter Clore was himself a researcher. He spent 40 years at the Washington State University Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser, Washington, an institution that has helped lead Washington agriculture forward in so many ways. During his career, Walter developed and tested wine grape varieties throughout Washington State.

Walter Clore retired in 1976, but he was not content to relax and watch from the sidelines. Using his 40 years of experience and knowledge, he connected emerging vintners with promising varieties and pointed them to ideal sites for growing wine grapes.

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Walter Clore. But I take solace in the fact that he pursued his passion with unrelenting determination and transformed his vision of a vibrant Washington wine industry into a reality. We need more pioneers like Walter Clore.

Today, Washington state's $2.4 billion wine industry is the Nation's second largest producer of premium wines. The industry boasts more than 200 wineries and 300 wine grape growers. More important to consumers than the size of the industry, my State continues to earn respect for its quality, affordable wines.

I believe the best way to pay tribute to Walter Clore is to continue his legacy. As a U.S. Senator, that means funding research through USDA and institutions like Washington State University to keep the industry healthy and on the cutting edge. It means investing in trade promotion initiatives like the Market Access Program so that Washington wine can earn the markets and worldwide recognition it deserves. And it means creating opportunities for Washington wine country to become a destination spot for wine lovers who live in the Pacific Northwest and around the Nation.

As Washingtonians, we are so proud to call Walter Clore our own. On behalf of the Washington wine industry, I want to express my condolences to Walter's family. I also want to let them know that we will continue to build on his great legacy.