[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 117 (Friday, August 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9630-S9632]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HIGH RUSSIAN HONOR TO IOWAN JOHN CHRYSTAL

 Mr. HARKIN. Mr. President, John Chrystal, an outstanding 
Iowan, is one of only two Americans to be awarded the Order of 
Friendship, the highest honor that the Government of Russia can bestow 
on a noncitizen. This award, which was given at the behest of Russian 
President Boris Yeltsin, was presented at a ceremony in Des Moines, IA, 
by the Russian Ambassador to the United States, Yuli M. Vorontsov. It 
has been my privilege to have John as a close personal friend for many 
years, and I am extremely proud of his achievement in receiving this 
high and well-deserved honor.
  Under Russian law, the Order of Friendship, which was established in 
1994 by President Yeltsin, ``is awarded to persons for significant 
contribution to strengthening friendship and cooperation between 
nations and nationalities, for helping the development of the Russian 
economy, for especially fruitful activities in scientific development, 
for bringing together and mutually enriching the cultures of nations 
and nationalities, and for strengthening peace and friendship between 
nations.'' John was honored for all of these reasons and in recognition 
of his 70th birthday, which was December 11 of last year.
  John has had a long and distinguished career as a farmer and banker, 
and is recognized as a leading expert on agricultural, trade and 
economic matters involving the former Soviet Union. He has long worked 
to improve trade relations between our nation and the countries of the 
former Soviet Union and to help those countries modernize and 
restructure their agriculture and food systems. As a farmer himself, 
John has real credibility when he talks with farmers in Russia, Ukraine 
or one of the other countries of the NIS.
  John has traveled to Russia, Ukraine, Georgia, and other nations of 
the former Soviet Union some 50 to 60 times since 1959, representing 
our State of Iowa and our Nation as a private-citizen ambassador of 
good will and understanding. In addition, he has been remarkably 
generous in hosting many exchanges and delegations from those countries 
to our Nation and our State of Iowa. John has known personally all of 
the recent leaders of the Soviet Union and Russia and is well known 
among farmers and policy makers in the countries of the former Soviet 
Union.
  We Iowans are tremendously proud of all the good work that John 
Chrystal has done over the years to help improve food and agriculture 
systems in the former Soviet Union and to foster stronger ties and a 
deeper level of understanding among our peoples.
  Mr. President, I ask that a number of articles pertaining to the 
awarding of the Order of Friendship to John Chrystal be printed in the 
Record.
  The article follows:

[[Page S9631]]

       [From the Carroll, IA, Daily Times Herald, June 24, 1996]

                   Chrystal Earns High Russian Honor

                            (By Butch Heman)

       John Chrystal jokes that dozens of times he's gone to 
     Russia, ``one of the few major nations in the world that 
     we've never had a war with,'' and apparently hasn't angered 
     anybody there yet.
       Russia honored the rural Coon Rapids man today with its 
     highest honor bestowed on a foreigner: the Order of 
     Friendship.
       Russia's ambassador to the United States, Yuli Vorontsov, 
     presented the award during a ceremony at The Des Moines Club 
     in Des Moines.
       President Boris Yelstin established the Order of Friendship 
     in 1994. It is warded to persons for significant 
     contributions toward ``strengthening friendship and 
     cooperation between nations and nationalities, for helping 
     the development of the Russian economy, for especially 
     fruitful activities in scientific development, for bringing 
     together and mutually enriching the cultures of nations and 
     nationalities, and for strengthening the peace and friendship 
     between nations.''
       The Russian Embassy in Washington, D.C., said Chrystal was 
     being honored for activities in all those areas, according to 
     a press release.
       The other American to receive it was astronaut Norman 
     Thagard, the first U.S. citizen to live aboard the Russian 
     space station Mir.
       Chrystal, who has been visiting Russia, the Ukraine, 
     Georgia and other parts of the former Soviet Union for 36 
     years, was chosen for the award at the urging of Yeltsin.
       Since 1959 he has been helping those countries modernize 
     farming and agriculture infrastructure.
       Chrystal has known all Russian leaders--from Nikita 
     Khrushchev through Yeltsin--and most of their agricultural 
     ministers.
       ``I've traveled from the Baltic States to Vladivostok, from 
     the permafrost to palm trees. I'm more widely traveled in 
     Russia than I am in the U.S.,'' he said with a chuckle.
       He observed the evolution from collective state-owned farms 
     to ``a modern attempt at democracy that has not yet been 
     achieved.''
       Chrystal teasingly says he's done more criticizing of 
     Russian agriculture than assisting.
       ``I've always been anxious to better our relations with 
     Russia because I think it can become an economic partner with 
     the U.S.,'' he said.
       Russia is not a third world nation by any means. Chrystal 
     said, describing it as a place with vast natural resources 
     and a very well-educated populace that survived 1,000 years 
     of autocracy under the czars and communism.
       The country has some grave faults, mainly no management of 
     culture by competitive ideas and no cash, he said.
       ``And they are having a social, political and economic 
     revolution simultaneously and without blood, which is 
     certainly one of the first times in the history of the 
     world,'' Chrystal said.
       A big problem for Russia is that change has to happen 
     quickly, he said.
       ``When I was growing up on the farm we had a two-row 
     planter, and when the neighbor had a four-row planter, boy 
     that was a big deal and we had to have one too,'' Chrystal 
     said.
       ``Imagine these 44-row planters we have today and a 
     satellite that tells you when to increase fertilizer. It's 
     the beginning of a new era, and the Russians are going to 
     have to run faster if they want to be in the same place. It's 
     a really difficult but exciting time for them.''
       ``I suppose it will be another decade or generation before 
     they achieve the goals that I hold dear, but I have no doubt 
     they'll achieve them.''
       Chrystal said that despite the fall of communism, less 
     stability exists in the region. Communism, although a 
     government by edict, maintained control, he said.
       ``That's not to say this isn't a much better situation,'' 
     he said, noting that while the Soviet Union might be dead but 
     economic relationships among its former members exist.
       America has an opportunity to form friendly relations with 
     the newly independent countries, and Iowa, because of its 
     agriculture, has a special chance, Chrystal said.
       His goals are to have the federal government encourage 
     American business to form joint ventures with Russian firms. 
     Chrystal already services on the Overseas Private Investment 
     Corp., a government agency that helps developing nations.
       ``I think our foreign aid ought to be practical rather than 
     theoretical,'' he said. ``Countries that are hard-up think 
     less about democracy than they do about tomorrow.''
       Chrystal recently spoke about agribusiness at a seminar in 
     Moscow.
       ``I detect already a substantial change in attitude,'' he 
     said. ``. . . The tone of the participants was something new. 
     They were talking about competition, efficiencies, cropping 
     and ventures that were either new or in cooperation with 
     various aspects of the economy.''
       Even through he's visited exotic locales and rubbed elbows 
     with international dignitaries, Chrystal says he gets the 
     most happiness out of what he sees right here in Carroll 
     County.
       ``I think the most successful thing I've done is seeing 
     farmers in Carroll County entertain Soviets, Russians and 
     Ukrainians. The hosts have fallen in love with these people 
     and even traveled to their homes. That's really thrilling to 
     see Americans develop great relationships with them,'' He 
     said.
       The 70-year-old Chrystal is a native of Coon Rapids. 
     Chairman of Iowa Savings Bank of Coon Rapids and Carroll and 
     a director at several rural Iowa banks as well as Bankers 
     Trust Co. of Des Moines. Chrystal was president of Bankers 
     Trust from 1984-86.
       For many years he was a grain and cattle farmer and is 
     still a partner in his family's farm operation.
       Chrystal is a former state banking superintendent, former 
     member of the Iowa Board of Regents and former president of 
     the Iowa Bankers Association and the Iowa Civil Liberties 
     Union. He is also a trustee of Grinnel College and a director 
     of F.M. Hubbell and Sons Co.
       ``I really don't know how I was chosen for this award, but 
     I'm very honored and I certainly haven't expected it,'' her 
     remarked.
       ``I was always afraid I'd make the Russians mad, but 
     obviously I haven't,'' he added with a laugh. ``And who 
     would've though a fella from Coon Rapids would get to know 
     all these Russian leaders?''
       Among the other recipients of the Russian Order of 
     Friendship is South Africa President Nelson Mandela.
       Chrystal said some of the Russian officials attending 
     today's ceremony would be staying in Iowa for several days 
     and he hopes to bring some to a Carroll Chamber of Commerce 
     reception Friday night at Iowa Savings Bank in Carroll.
                                                                    ____


             [From the Des Moines Register, June 25, 1996]

                  Russian Friendship Honor to Chrystal

                           (By Jerry Perkins)

       John Chrystal, Iowa banker and longtime agricultural 
     adviser to the Soviet Union and Russia, received on Monday 
     the Order of Friendship, the highest honor Russia can bestow 
     on a foreigner.
       Chrystal, 70, of Coon Rapids is one of two Americans to 
     receive the award, which also has been given to heads of 
     state such as South African president Nelson Mandela.
       Yuli Vorontsov, Russian ambassador to the United States, 
     praised Chrystal for his many years of advising first the 
     Soviet Union and now Russia.
       ``This is the highest Russian civilian award,'' Vorontsov 
     said, ``It is for leaders of nations and leading citizens. It 
     is highly regarded in Russia. We appreciate him very much in 
     Russia.''
       Chrystal has made frequent visits to the former Soviet 
     Union and Russia for 36 years.
       In an interview at The Des Moines Register, Vorontsov 
     predicted that Russian President Boris Yeltsin will win re-
     election easily on July 3 when Russians vote in a runoff 
     election.
       On June 16, Yeltsin narrowly defeated Communist Gennady 
     Zyuganov, 35 percent to 32 percent, in the first round of 
     voting but didn't garner enough votes to prevent a runoff.
       Yeltsin has been endorsed by the third-place finisher, 
     Alexander Lebed, who has joined Yeltsin's government, and the 
     fourth-place finisher, Grigory Yavlinsky, an economic 
     reformer.
       Those two endorsements should deliver enough votes to give 
     Yeltsin a comfortable 55 percent to 45 percent victory over 
     Zyuganov, Vorontsov said.
       After the July 3 runoff, Yeltsin will reshuffle his 
     government, go to work on the social problems confronting 
     Russia and work to make it possible for Russian citizens to 
     own land, Vorontsov said.
       A decree issued by Yeltsin to make it possible for Russians 
     to own land has been stopped in the Russian parliament, he 
     said.
       Yeltsin hopes to be able to push the measure through the 
     parliament after his re-election.
       If he wins, Yeltsin will serve his second four-year term. 
     Russian law prevents a president from serving more than two 
     terms.
       ``Economic reform in Russia will continue, but we will not 
     be in a rush,'' Vorontsov said. ``We will analyze before 
     making changes and bad things should be thrown away.''
       It is unrealistic to expect change to come swiftly, he 
     said.
       Five to seven years will be needed to turn around the 
     industrial economy and 10 years will be needed before 
     agriculture is put on track.
       Chrystal said Russian agriculture reforms have been hurt by 
     a lack of infrastructure, including credit, roads and 
     machinery.
       Vorontsov agreed.
       ``We've made very meager progress'' in agriculture, he 
     said. ``It's not as we should have done and that's where we 
     should concentrate now.''
       Developing a market-oriented economy has been slower than 
     the Russian government has wanted, Vorontsov said, but 
     changes have been made.
       ``Some seeds of a new market economy have been sown,'' he 
     said.
       Vorontsov said corruption is not being punished in Russia 
     and it will be very hard to stamp out because of the well-
     entrenched Russian bureaucracy.
       ``Corruption is unpunishable now,'' he said. ``Corrupt 
     people should be sent to jail, but it will be very difficult. 
     The bureaucracy is still there.''
       However, Vorontsov said foreign investment is needed in the 
     Russian economy.
       ``Participate with us'' in the Russian economy, he said.
                                                                    ____


[[Page S9632]]

             [From the Des Moines Register, June 26, 1996]

                          A Mark of Friendship

       There are corn and hogs, but a lesser known state hallmark 
     is Iowa's long-term relationship with the former Soviet Union 
     that has continued with present-day Russia.
       The essential ingredient: people--Russians and Iowans who 
     have moved to a productive common ground where international 
     bridges are built from a shared interest in agriculture and 
     progress.
       Among the Iowans is John Chrystal, a 70-year-old Coon 
     Rapids resident, Iowa banker and agricultural adviser to the 
     Soviet Union and now Russia.
       Chrystal is a charming and insightful fountain of memories 
     about meetings with Mikhail Gorbachev, observations of Soviet 
     communism and of Russians coming up to him just to touch the 
     fabric of his--at the time--all-polyester wardrobe.
       On Monday, Chrystal was given the highest award that 
     Russians bestow on foreigners: the Order of Friendship.
       Praised by the Russian ambassador to the United States, 
     Yuli Vorontsov, Chrystal joins a noted group of Order of 
     Friendship honorees that includes South African President 
     Nelson Mandela.
       It's proud recognition for Chrystal, but also for Iowa and 
     its contribution to the futures of two great nations.
                                                                    ____


             [From the Nebraska World-Herald, July 7, 1996]

             Russia Found a Good Friend in Outspoken Iowan

                          (By Rainbow Rowell)

       Coon Rapids, Iowa.--A statue of Lenin that once sat in 
     Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev's office now sits in John 
     Chrystal's Coon Rapids farmhouse.
       It's as much of a surprise to see it there as it is to meet 
     an agricultural adviser and friend of the Russian people in 
     this small Iowa town.
       Chrystal has spent 36 years cultivating a relationship with 
     the former Soviet Union. Last month, Russia awarded him the 
     Order of Friendship, the highest honor it bestows on 
     foreigners.
       Chrystal has become an expert on the affairs of the Soviet 
     Union. He said he's an accidental expert. He never had any 
     particular interest in the nation, never was especially 
     interested in foreign affairs.
       And he certainly didn't expect the Russians to ask for his 
     help. Yet that's almost exactly what happened.
       Chrystal folded his 6-foot-2-inch frame into a living room 
     chair last week and started talking about the history of his 
     unique friendship.
       A Soviet delegation came to Iowa in 1956, looking for 
     trade. They found Chrystal's uncle, Roswell ``Bob'' Garst, 
     and a whole lot of seed corn. Garst visited the Soviet Union 
     a few times but didn't feel like going when he was invited in 
     1960.
       So Garst sent Chrystal, who never had been east of South 
     Bend, Ind., in his place.
       Chrystal thought that first visit would be his last, he 
     said. Communist officials took him on a tour of the country's 
     key agricultural areas and he was critical of their farming 
     methods.
       Surely, Chrystal recalled, the Soviets wouldn't ask him to 
     return. But they did, again and again.
       And after every trip, he wondered if there would be another 
     invitation, never really counting on it.
       Chrystal didn't quit his many day jobs to become a 
     diplomat. When he wasn't visiting the Soviet Union--or later, 
     Russia and the other independent states--Chrystal worked as 
     partner on the family farm, a successful banker and a 
     Democratic party leader.
       ``I've been very fortunate,'' Chrystal said. ``People that 
     I've been associated with let me do other things. Maybe they 
     wanted to get rid of me. That never occurred to me until this 
     second.''
       Slim chance. His colleagues described Chrystal as a rare 
     patriot, a man who is at once intelligent and humble, able 
     and energetic. At 70, he is chairman of the Iowa Savings Bank 
     in Coon Rapids and serves on many boards.
       Bill Hess, the bank's president, said Chrystal is ``Tops. 
     Mr. Integrity, spelled with capital T's.''
       ``He's a wonderful human being,'' Valentina Slater Fominykh 
     said. ``Your country must be very proud.''
       Ms. Fominykh, who now lives in Des Moines, first met 
     Chrystal in 1989. She was a Soviet foreign-language 
     professor, part of a delegation to Iowa.
       She described Chrystal as a fair man who isn't afraid to 
     express his opinions.
       People respect that, Dale Dooley said. Dooley of Johnston, 
     Iowa, worked with Chrystal to help form Iowa Transfers 
     System, now Shazam Inc.
       The company almost failed, Dooley said, but Chrystal's 
     confidence, contacts and know-how saved it.
       ``It amazed me,'' he said, ``the depth of that man's 
     knowledge and complexity.''
       Chrystal has vision, Ms. Fominykh said, and that vision 
     helped him foresee major changes in the Soviet Union.
       ``He was a loyal friend when friendships with the Soviet 
     Union were not in vogue yet,'' she said.
       Chrystal downplays any risks he may have taken by 
     befriending the communist nation. When he talks about the 
     Cold War, it hardly seems like enough to send Americans 
     scrambling for their bomb shelters.
       ``I don't think we were ever going to attack Russia,'' 
     Chrystal said. ``I don't think we're an attacking country, 
     and Russia is isolationist.''
       He said he never hated communists, never thought they were 
     an evil people. He saw their empire as one on the cusp of 
     great change.
       ``I never questioned what I was doing,'' Chrystal said. ``I 
     never questioned that they would have to change and would be 
     an enormous market for us.''
       His willingness and frankness made him a valued adviser to 
     the rapidly changing Soviet government. Chrystal is widely 
     known and well-respected there, Ms. Fominykh said.
       ``People listen to what Chrystal has to say,'' she said.
       The Soviets respected his opinion because they knew he was 
     independent from the U.S. government, that he was speaking 
     only for himself, Chrystal said.
       That respect brought him close to leaders such as former 
     Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev and Gorbachev. He speaks 
     easily about the two and their roles in history. He speaks 
     with confidence and with the insight of an eyewitness.
       Chrystal never counted his many visits. Some years, he 
     didn't visit at all. Other years, he made three or four 
     trips. He figures he has spent about a year and a half 
     there total.
       Yet he never learned to speak Russian. He has picked up 
     some. If the conversation is about agriculture, he probably 
     can follow along.
       ``I never thought that I would be going back so much,'' 
     Chrystal said, explaining why he never learned. ``I was a 
     farmer and a banker and I would have had to drive to Ames to 
     take lessons. Maybe I was lazy.''
       Chrystal said he sees his role as agricultural adviser 
     coming to an end.
       ``I don't think I have as much to offer anymore,'' he said.
       Russia will get along fine without him, he said. The 
     country is becoming more and more stable. Those who predict a 
     return to communism, he said, should consider all the nation 
     has accomplished since the Soviet Union dissolved.
       The still-struggling government needs independence, he 
     said.
       ``I think they'll succeed, and I think they'll succeed on 
     their own. The faster the better for us.''
       He already sees that independence growing, he said, giving 
     as an example an agribusiness seminar he attended in Moscow 
     in May.
       ``For the first time, I met young people who were talking a 
     new kind of economic language,'' who were ambitious and 
     determined.
       After an hour of talking and tracing the history of his 
     ties to Russia, Chrystal looked around his living room, at 
     the many gifts and souvenirs from his travels--at the 
     paintings, the carved clock and the colorful rug. He has many 
     Russian friendships that will outlife his official 
     relationship with the government.
       ``My impression is that there will be a new critic,'' he 
     said, smiling, ``which is fine.''

                          ____________________