[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 9 (Friday, February 4, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 4, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TRIBUTE TO JOYCE SPICHER

  Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Joyce 
Spicher. Joyce, who is from Hingham, MT, is the immediate past 
president of Women in Farm Economics, or WIFE.
  WIFE is an outstanding organization, whose primary goal is to promote 
American agriculture. This is not always an easy task in today's 
climate. Agriculture faces many hardships and closed doors. However, 
Joyce is a leader who has made this task look easy. She has opened 
doors and fought her way around barriers which others might have 
considered dead ends. As president, through her dedication to the WIFE 
motto, ``Bloom where you are planted,'' Joyce Spicher has made a 
difference to Montana and the entire Nation.
  Today, only 2 percent of all Americans are involved in agriculture. 
Out of that 2 percent, an impressive 98 percent of the farms and 
ranches are still family operated. Family is the key to survival, and 
with family comes backbone. We are fortunate to have such a strong 
backbone supporting Montanan and American agriculture.
  Joyce, along with all of the member of WIFE, realize this importance. 
In a recent WIFE line publication Joyce said, ``Every issue we discuss 
is tied directly to our farms and our families.'' How true that is. It 
is time we all take a firm stand to insure the future of American 
agriculture. Of course there is going to be opposition, but I firmly 
believe that it is a battle of wills. And we the people of agriculture 
in Montana and throughout America have the advantage of having a strong 
backbone.
  Joyce took her stand a long time ago, and for all her hard work and 
dedication I applaud her. She is not only a great Montanan--she is an 
outstanding American. Joyce, thank you for all you have done to help 
promote Montanan and American agriculture.
  And with anticipation of more great things to come, I congratulate 
the new national WIFE president, Mary Ann Sheppard.

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