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>> Narrator: “Bill Lanier is a man with considerable talents
to agricultural services in the state and nation.”
These words spoken by former President Jimmy Carter
proudly represent what many Georgia agriculturists feel
about the life contributions of William Lovel Lanier, Sr.
>> William Lanier: By the time I was 10 or 12 years old,
I was running the home place.
I guess you could say my love for agriculture
began with birth, almost.
>> Narrator: A graduate of
Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and
the University of Georgia with a degree in agronomy,
Mr. Lanier continued his legacy at Georgia Southern University
for post graduate studies.
>> William Lanier: When I was getting ready to leave,
my brother was taking me to the bus station,
my daddy –on his 2 crutches– walked into my bedroom and
gave me $10.
I told my brother after he left, I said
“Surely Papa’s not that old timey to
think I can off with $10.”
But then as I was leaving, he gave me a checkbook.
And the only instructions he gave me, he said
“Son, make it light or *** yourself.”
And that was the criteria that he used in his last will and testament.
>> Narrator: A native of Candler County and
United States Navy and World War II veteran,
Mr. Lanier began an impressive career with numerous accolades
including being named “Mr. Baldwin,”
Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year,
Citizen of the Year,
and Conservation Man of the Year.
A longtime member of the Georgia General Assembly,
Mr. Lanier introduced and passed more
farm and consumer protection legislation
than any member in the history of Georgia.
As an accomplished author of
numerous amendments and legislation acts,
Mr. Lanier is responsible for many agricultural regulations
that have dramatically improved Georgia agriculture
through the years.
>> William Lanier: I was elected to the Legislature
at 22 years old.
That was quite an experience.
All the daily newspapers were ready to converge on me
as soon as I took the oath of office.
They came to me and said
“How did you get here so young?”
I said “Well, all the grown men were busy and they sent me.”
[Laughter]
>> Narrator: His 23 years of public office included a
great deal of negotiation with key legislation
in congress and industry.
As chairman of the House Agricultural Committee under
Governors Herman Talmadge and Ernest Vandiver
from 1954 to 1958,
Mr. Lanier also served as vice-chairman under
Governor Marvin Griffin.
>> William Lanier: Since the Hall of Fame started,
every time I was in Athens, Georgia for a football game or
a meeting or a visit, I would go by the room where the
portraits of the Hall of Fame recipients are at.
I would go over from what I remember of their
accomplishments and that stirred me up
to even do more and greater things.
>> Narrator: Mr. Lanier has been
a member the advisory board for C & S National Bank,
the Booster Club of Georgia Southern University,
Agriculture’s Public Relations Committee,
Cotton Incorporated,
board of directors at Pineland State Bank,
the President’s Consumer Advisory Board,
Tobacco Stabilization Corporation,
board of director for the National Cotton Council,
board of directors for Candler County Hospital,
and the Resolution Committee for the American Farm Bureau.
>> William Lanier: I’d like to be remembered as a person that
was dedicated to Georgia and American agriculture
because I think that is one of the greatest callings
that you could have.
>> Narrator: The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
Alumni Association proudly inducts
William Lovel Lanier, Sr.
into the Georgia Agricultural Hall of Fame.
(c) 2013 University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Office of External Affairs