[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 128 (Tuesday, September 17, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10710-S10711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO LOWELL MOHLER

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to Lowell 
Mohler of Missouri, who is retiring after many decades of service to 
the Missouri Farm Bureau.
  Lord Chesterfield, an English statesman in the 18th century advised 
citizens to ``Be wiser than other people if you can, but do not tell 
them so.'' This advice has been practiced regularly by 20th century 
Missourian Lowell Mohler, from the halls of the University of Missouri 
to the State and Nation's Capitol, where he has advised farmers, 
professors, Governors, and Senators. Though Lowell's tenure at Farm 
Bureau was slightly more brief than the 20th century, his service on 
behalf of rural Americans has been immense. His approach is always 
warm, his counsel wise, his strategy practical, and his word true.
  Lowell Mohler is truly representative of the Missouri Farm Bureau, an 
organization of members who are characterized by common sense, work 
hard, value initiative and character, and who love agriculture, family, 
God, and country--not necessarily in that order. He, like they, live by 
a more stringent self-imposed code of right and wrong which is an 
example for all to observe.
  Lowell also has the typical nonmodern and unrealistic view of 
retirement. He said he is going to retire to spend more time extolling 
the virtues of the University of Missouri and to farm. He reminds me of 
the Missouri farmer who came out of retirement to farm and was asked if 
he was going to work full time. ``No, just 6 days a week,'' the elderly 
farmer replied.
  I hope that Lowell will now have some well-deserved time to spend 
with his terrific family, of which I know he is very proud. He and his 
wife, JoAnn, can grow asparagus and hornets and maybe catch some fish 
at their farm. They can invite large crowds of friends to backyard 
barbecues and leave the cleanup duties to the coyotes which come up 
from the river near his house and clean perfectly the remains.
  Only Lowell could make the availability of coyotes useful. It must 
relate to his affinity with members of the media and politicians that 
he can appreciate coyotes. If he is so inclined, he

[[Page S10711]]

can come to Mexico, Missouri and help me keep the deer away from my 
tree orchards. Maybe we can plant some walnut trees.
  Lowell Mohler's career climbed heights he surely never expected, but 
has never lost sight of where he came from, or the conventions and 
needs of the ordinary women and men who live the life that makes this 
country great. His work made rural America better; he left his mark and 
he did it his way, the Farm Bureau way. He is and will be remembered as 
a great American example.
  JoAnn, thank you on behalf of everyone for sharing Lowell with us. We 
return him to you with immense gratitude, and wish you both well as you 
enter this new chapter of your lives.

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