[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 141 (Thursday, October 3, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S12340-S12341]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       RECOGNITION OF KEVIN PRICE

 Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, before the 104th Congress adjourns, 
I want to take a moment of the Senate's time to thank someone who will 
be leaving my office in a few weeks.
  Four years ago, Kevin Price joined my staff as a legislative 
assistant for agriculture from Senator Kerrey's office, where he had 
served as a legislative correspondent. Kevin quickly established 
himself as one of the hardest working people on my staff. It seemed 
like he was almost always one of the first here in the morning and one 
of the last to leave at night. And that was before serious preparation 
for the 1995 farm bill had even begun.
  Kevin also was very successful at reaching out to North Dakota 
farmers and farm groups. Although he initially had to overcome some 
skepticism because he was from the northwestern Minnesota town of 
Steven, and not a native of North Dakota, he soon earned their trust, 
respect, and friendship through his work for me on the 1993 budget, 
disaster assistance, grazing, and many, many other issues.
  At the same time, Kevin developed a strong working relationship with 
other staff on agriculture issues that made him a persuasive actor in 
all of the staff work that goes on behind the scenes around here. His 
ties to both Democrats and Republicans, House and Senate staff, and key 
administration players made him very effective at protecting the 
interests of North Dakota farmers on myriad, small but often very 
important, issues that are effectively determined at the staff level.
  For the past 3 years, Kevin immersed himself in the details of the 
1995 farm bill to ensure that my priorities were addressed. For North 
Dakota, the farm bill is essential legislation. Its provisions, in 
large part, determine my State's economic future. During consideration 
of the farm bill, it is essential that I have accurate, timely 
information and thoughtfully prepared options. I ask a lot of my staff.
  Kevin came through--for me, and for the people of North Dakota. He 
not only worked incredibly long hours himself, he did a terrific job of 
coordinating the many other members of my staff who also helped work on 
the farm bill, and, despite the enormous pressure that he must 
sometimes have felt, Kevin was always a pleasure to be around. Although 
I believe the overall approach to farm policy taken by the Republicans 
in the 1995 farm bill is misguided and I could not support it, it does 
contain numerous provisions that will make an important difference for 
North Dakota that would not be in the bill had Kevin not worked so hard 
on my behalf.

[[Page S12341]]

  In a few weeks, Kevin will be going to work for the American Crystal 
Sugar cooperative in Moorhead, MN. He has very big shoes to fill, 
because he is taking over from former Gov. George Sinner. But I have no 
doubt that he will fill them well, because he also leaves behind big 
shoes for my next agriculture legislative assistant to fill.
  On behalf of the people of North Dakota, I thank Kevin for a job well 
done and wish him well in his new endeavor.

                          ____________________