[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 56 (Monday, May 5, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E830]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     TRIBUTE TO GENE RAGAN: MAN OF THE YEAR IN ALABAMA AGRICULTURE

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                           HON. TERRY EVERETT

                               of alabama

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 1, 1997

  Mr. EVERETT. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to an outstanding 
figure in southern agriculture and a dear friend, Gene Ragan. 
Progressive Farmer magazine has recently selected Gene as its Man of 
the Year in Alabama agriculture. This is a prestigious honor only 
bestowed to agriculture's best and I can think of no one more suited to 
receive it than Gene.
  Gene Ragan is an institution in the southern farming community, 
regularly hosting what many believe to be the Nation's longest running 
local television farm show. For viewers of WTVY-TV 4 in Dothan, AL, 
Gene has been a friend and an agriculture advocate for 38 years on his 
``Noon Farm Report.'' As Progressive Farmer notes: ``Ragan has served 
with distinction as the voice of agriculture for many who no longer 
have day-to-day ties to farming.'' His audience today is considerably 
more urban than in 1959.
  Gene's ties to agriculture actually extended back 50 years, beginning 
his career as an extension agent in Grady County, GA, in 1946. In 
addition to farm broadcasting, Gene Ragan has ably served as farm 
consultant to Southtrust Bank in Dothan, and has used his expertise to 
organize the annual agriculture leadership conference which draws 
hundreds from across the Southeast.
  A friend and ambassador for the family farm, Gene Ragan is a genuine 
lover of the land and this country. No one I know is a more credible 
advocate for environmental stewardship than Gene Ragan. His efforts on 
behalf of land grant colleges and research programs are also well 
known.
  Always looking to the future, Gene is a consistent supporter of youth 
in agriculture, namely 4-H and FAA programs in the Tristate region of 
southeast Alabama, southwest Georgia, and northwest Florida.
  I am personally indebted to and will never forget the help that Gene 
Ragan gave this young newspaper reporter many years ago. Gene Ragan is 
agriculture in the Wiregrass, and I congratulate him on his award and 
his continuing remarkable career in service to the farmer. Thank you, 
Mr. Speaker.

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