[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 131 (Friday, September 20, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11087-S11088]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING LOWELL MOHLER, CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF THE MISSOURI 
                              FARM BUREAU

  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, in 1794 George Washington said, ``I know

[[Page S11088]]

of no other pursuit in which more real and important services can be 
rendered to any country than improving its agriculture.'' These words 
mean as much today, over 200 years later, as they did then. 
Agricultural industries employ nearly 20 percent of all Americans.
  Today, I rise to honor a dear friend for 26 years of dedicated 
service to Missouri agriculture. On September 24, 1996, Lowell Mohler 
will gather with friends, family, and colleagues to celebrate the 
achievements of his distinguished career with the Missouri Farm Bureau. 
Lowell is a native Missourian born in Oregon, MO. Agriculture was 
always in his blood. Upon receiving his agriculture degree from the 
University of Missouri, he pursued an active career in agriculture, 
including assistant director of marketing for the Kansas State Board of 
Agriculture, marketing director of the Missouri Department of 
Agriculture and a vital member of the Missouri Farm Bureau.
  Lowell began his career with the Missouri Farm Bureau in 1970 and 
currently serves as the chief administrative officer and corporate 
secretary. For many years, Lowell has been a driving force meeting 
Missouri farmers' needs. Over these years, Lowell has been honored by 
his peers many times over. In April 1988, Gamma Sigma Delta, a national 
honor society recognizing individuals for scholarship and service in 
agriculture, honored him with the Distinguished Service to Agriculture 
Award for his outstanding support of the University of Missouri's 
College of Agriculture. In September 1990, Lowell was again honored 
with the Missouri University Alumni Association Distinguished Service 
Award for his continuing support and efforts in adding to the 
excellence of the university. In January 1991, he received the Missouri 
University Citation of Merit Award and the Presidential Citation Award 
for Extension. In October 1991, he received the State Friend of 
Extension Award in recognition of outstanding public service and 
support of the Missouri Cooperative Extension Service and its 
educational programs. In 1995, he was honored with the Ag Leader of the 
Year Award presented by the Missouri Ag Industries Council. Lowell's 
attributes are many as his honors describe.
  Lowell was there during the devastating Missouri flood of 1993, 
helping farmer after farmer cope with their great losses due to rising 
floodwaters. His own farm, which borders the great Missouri River, also 
fell victim with huge crop losses due to the floodwaters. But Missouri 
farmers persevered and overcame with the help of Lowell and the 
Missouri Farm Bureau.
  Lowell's generosity, integrity and foresight have continued over the 
years to keep Missouri agricultural interests strong for Missouri 
families and farmers. American farmers set the world agricultural 
standards by producing the highest quality products at the lowest 
prices. Missouri's 28 million acres of farmland and production of beef 
rank second in the Nation. Missouri is also among the top 15 States 
producing rice, soybeans, milo, hay, corn, and cotton. Agriculture is a 
critical force in Missouri's economy as well as the Nation's.
  On a personal note, my friendship with Lowell has afforded me the 
opportunity of his wisdom. Lowell was always happy to advise me 
regarding my farm in Missouri. He unselfishly assisted me in planning 
and complying with conservation regulations, particularly in the area 
of soil and water conservation, tree preservation and replanting, 
pasture rotation, and general farm management. During my tenure as 
Governor, Lowell served on the transition team in 1985 to 1986; he was 
also appointed to the business and education partnership commission, 
which was a task force to study the higher education system in 
Missouri. Lowell provided me countless hours of advice on agricultural 
policy important to Missouri farmers and ranchers, which was a result 
of policy established by the grassroots development process of the 
Missouri Farm Bureau. His whole family was involved, too. Lowell's 
wife, JoAnn, served as my executive secretary from 1985 to 1993 during 
my tenure as Governor of Missouri. Lowell and JoAnn continue to be 
close friends, whom I respect for advice and guidance.
  For these important reasons, I rise today to recognize and salute my 
friend for not only the 26 years of exemplary service to the Missouri 
Farm Bureau, but for his lifelong dedication to the Missouri 
agricultural industry. Lowell Mohler's service and friendship has been 
an inspiring testimony to me as well as all Missourians.

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