Friday, July 13, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Signs Legislation Making Permanent His Naming of the Agriculture Building in Tribute to George Washington Carver
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt signed legislation today honoring one of Missouri's greatest achievers, Dr. George Washington Carver. The legislation names the state's Department of Agriculture building in Dr. Carver's honor.
"It is a fitting tribute that Missouri honor our native son Dr. George Washington Carver for his many contributions to American agriculture," Gov. Blunt said. "This legislation makes permanent the executive order I signed honoring the achievements, memory and legacy of Dr. Carver."
"George Washington Carver was nationally known for his inventions and contributions to agriculture. Naming the Missouri agriculture building is an exceptional honor and I am pleased to see this legislation signed into law honoring his legacy," Rep. Juanita Head Walton said.
House Bill 62, sponsored by Rep. Marilyn Ruestman, names the state's agriculture building to honor George Washington Carver. The bill formally enters the governor's 2006 executive order, which initially renamed the state agriculture building in honor of Dr. George Washington Carver, into state statute.
"It is a real honor to have such a prestigious national park in my district," said Rep. Marilyn Ruestman. "It is our pleasure to honor George Washington Carver, a man of great importance in American history."
Dr. Carver is credited with stressing the need for soil conservation through diversification of crops and crop rotation to help revive soil that had become unproductive due to the long-term cultivation of cotton. He went on to discover almost 300 uses for the peanut, and developed various paint, dyes and medicinal treatments from peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans.
The building was officially dedicated in September, 2006, when Dr. Benjamin L. Hooks joined the governor at a ceremony to unveil the sign identifying the "George Washington Carver State Office Building." Dr. Hooks is a civil rights pioneer and served as executive director of the NAACP from 1977 to 1992.