[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8136-S8137]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. LINCOLN:
  S. 1340. A bill to redesignate the ``Stuttgart National Aquaculture 
Research Center'' as the ``Harry K. Dupree Stuttgart National 
Aquaculture Research Center''; to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry.


     harry k. dupree stuttgart national aquaculture research center

  Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I offer for the Senate's consideration, 
a bill to rename the Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center 
after a man that has been essential to the success of the aquaculture 
industry in Arkansas: Dr. Harry K. Dupree.

  Dr. Dupree has devoted his entire career to the progress of the 
warmwater fish industry. In Arkansas, aquaculture production has taken 
great strides in recent years. The catfish industry in the state has 
grown rapidly and Arkansas currently ranks second nationally in acreage 
and production of catfish. The baitfish industry is not far behind, 
selling more than 15 million pounds of fish annually. Much of this 
success is due to the ongoing efforts of Dr. Harry Dupree.
  The early years of Dr. Dupree's career were spent in Alabama. Harry 
received his master's in fisheries management from Auburn University in 
1956 and his Ph.D. in Zoology in 1960. From 1960 to 1974, Harry served 
as both a Research Biologist and Laboratory Director at the 
Southeastern Fish Cultural Laboratory in Marion, Alabama. There, Dr. 
Dupree focused his efforts on catfish research and established the 
major elements required for a manufactured feed for channel catfish. 
His research activities led to the formulation of pelleted feed for 
catfish production and made it possible for catfish production to move 
from a small, labor intensive industry of local interest to a 
streamlined industry with potential for expansion on the national and 
international level.

[[Page S8137]]

  Arkansas was fortunate enough to lure Dr. Dupree to the Fish Farming 
Experimental Laboratory in Stuttgart, Arkansas, during 1974 where he 
served as Scientific Director for the next 18 years. His efforts, 
dating back to before 1985, resulted in funding for design and 
construction of the new laboratories and offices for the facilities on 
the campus of the Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center. These 
facilities were constructed in 1992 and Dr. Dupree has served as the 
Laboratory Director for the center ever since.
  I first met Harry during my tenure as Representative of the First 
Congressional District of Arkansas. I'll never forget the enthusiasm 
and genuine interest Harry displayed as he showed me around the 
research center that he had worked so hard to establish. I, and many 
others, share many fond memories and great gratitude for the wonderful 
friendship and great work of Dr. Harry Dupree. The pride that he has 
exhibited and has instilled in all Arkansans for the science industry 
of Aquaculture has been tremendous.
  Dr. Dupree is a great man with a huge heart. I urge my colleagues to 
act promptly on this legislation so that Dr. Harry K. Dupree will 
receive the recognition that he truly deserves.
  Mr. President, at this point I ask unanimous consent that letters of 
support for this bill be included in the Record from constituents and 
aquaculture associations across Arkansas.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:
                                                       The Senate,


                                            State of Arkansas,

                                                    June 22, 1999.
     Hon. Blanche Lambert Lincoln,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Lincoln: I am writing to submit my letter of 
     support for proposed legislation naming the USDA Fish Farming 
     Laboratory in Stuttgart after Dr. Harry Dupree.
       As you know, you and I have served together with Dr. Dupree 
     on the Arkansas Delta Council and Foundation. Dr. Dupree has 
     served Delta Council since its formation in 1990, and more 
     recently as Treasurer. More importantly, Dr. Dupree has been 
     the central figure in the development of the Fish Farming 
     Laboratory since the beginning. When I was an aide to Senator 
     Bumpers, I recall meeting Dr. Dupree for the first time at 
     the annual U.S. Senate Catfish Fry in the Russell Senate 
     Office Building. He was busy telling everyone he could find 
     about the importance of the mission for the fish lab, and why 
     it needed more funding. Years later, Harry and I became close 
     friends when I moved to Stuttgart, and I witnessed his many 
     efforts as the chief champion of a new lab and mission at 
     USDA. Everything that is associated with the fish lab is due 
     at one level or another to the efforts of Dr. Harry Dupree.
       Therefore, I can speak with complete authority when I say 
     that our constituents here in Arkansas County, and in the 
     aquaculture field, fully support the naming of this facility 
     after Dr. Dupree. I can think of no more fitting name for 
     this lab. Indeed, it is every bit as much an honor for USDA, 
     this center and for Arkansas County to have this named after 
     Dr. Dupree as it is an honor for Dr. Dupree.
       Finally, I would ask that these comments, along with the 
     other comments you are receiving about Dr. Dupree, be listed 
     in the Congressional Record. I believe it would be a fitting 
     tribute for him, his wife Ruth, and for his hard work and 
     dedicated public service.
       Thank you for your consideration of this request, and I 
     trust that all is well with you in Washington.
           Sincerely,
     Kevin A. Smith.
                                  ____



                                                         ADFA,

                                                    June 23, 1999.
     Hon. Blanche Lincoln,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Lincoln: I want to express my full support for 
     legislation that would change the name of the Stuttgart 
     National Aquaculture Research Center to the Harry K. Dupree 
     Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center.
       Dr. Harry K. Dupree has devoted his professional career to 
     the advancement of warmwater fish culture; first as a 
     research scientist in fish nutrition and later in 
     administration of research while continuing with research. 
     Early in his career his research established the major 
     elements required for a manufactured feed for channel 
     catfish. This work included the establishment of amino acid 
     requirements of channel catfish, highlighting those that are 
     considered ``essential'', and testing many types of proteins 
     for their usefulness as primary amino acid sources. Dr. 
     Dupree contributed to the establishment of the vitamin 
     requirements of channel catfish, working specifically with 
     vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta carotene. Research on sources 
     of oil for formulating channel catfish diets led to the 
     understanding of the lipid requirements for commercial 
     production.
       Dr. Dupree's research helped establish the form and 
     formulation of manufactured feed most readily accepted by 
     channel catfish. With his studies of the feeding habits of 
     cultured catfish, helped determine the quality of feed needed 
     at different stages of development, the digestibility of 
     feeds of different compositions, and the quantity and timing 
     of feeding for maximum pond production. His research 
     activities led to the formulation of pelleted feed for 
     catfish production and made it possible for catfish 
     production to move from a small, labor intensive industry of 
     local interest to a streamlined industry with potential for 
     expansion on the national and international level. Dr. Dupree 
     has written extensively on the subject of fish nutrition and 
     is a recognized authority on warmwater fish nutrition.
       Dr. Dupree's research in other areas of fish biology 
     illustrates the breadth of his interest and abilities. His 
     work on immunity and with the immune response of paddlefish, 
     gar, and channel catfish lead to a better understanding of 
     basic systems of immunity. His research on hormone induction 
     of ovulation of goldfish led to modern day standard 
     procedures now employed in spawning these and other species 
     of fish. Other research has included pesticide analysis of 
     Channel catfish and work with karyology of grass carp that 
     led to modern methods for determining the difference between 
     diploids and triploids.
       In 1984, Dr. Dupree was responsible for editing ``The Third 
     Report to the Fish Farmer'' and for revising or writing a 
     large part of the publication. ``The Third Report'' is a 
     comprehensive review of most aspects of warmwater aquaculture 
     and is one of the most popular publications released by the 
     U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 17,500 copies have been 
     printed and most have been distributed to satisfy or through 
     GPO sales.
       Dr. Dupree is largely responsible for the laboratories, 
     offices and research buildings that are now at the Stuttgart 
     National Aquaculture Research Center. His efforts, dating 
     back to before 1985, resulted in funding for design and 
     construction of the new laboratories and offices and it is 
     because of his efforts that the laboratory exists today. His 
     efforts are continuing as he expands the facilities available 
     for the growing research staff that he has fought to gain 
     funding for.
       I have been involved with aquaculture for 30 years, first 
     as a fish farmer and for the last 8 years as the State 
     Aquaculture Coordinator. I don't know of anyone who has 
     contributed as much to the aquaculture industry as Dr. Harry 
     Dupree.
       I have talked to people in many states that are very 
     supportive of this name change and feel that Dr. Dupree is 
     very worthy of the honor.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Ted McNulty,
     State Aquaculture Coordinator, ADFA.
                                  ____

                                           University of Arkansas,


                                      Division of Agriculture,

                                                    June 30, 1999.
     Hon. Blanche Lincoln,
     United States Senate, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Lincoln: It is an honor and a pleasure to 
     support renaming of the Stuttgart National Aquaculture 
     Research Center in Stuttgart, Arkansas the Harry K. Dupree--
     Stuttgart National Aquaculture Research Center. It is a 
     fitting tribute to a man who had a vision for what the Center 
     could be and then devoted his professional career to making 
     it a reality for the benefit of fish farmers and the fish 
     industry throughout the country.
       If ever a person personifies dedication, it is Dr. Dupree. 
     He takes tremendous pride in the people, facilities, and 
     programs that make up the Stuttgart Center. For nearly forty 
     years, the Stuttgart Center has guided and championed the 
     warmwater aquaculture industry. For twenty-five of those 
     years, Dr. Dupree has been at the helm. Today thriving, 
     vibrant industry is a legacy of both the Center and the 
     leadership and devotion provided by Dr. Dupree.
       I am proud to call Harry Dupree a friend and express my 
     deep gratitude for being given this opportunity to honor our 
     friendship and his career.
           Sincerely,
                                                    Milo J. Shult,
     Vice President for Agriculture.
                                  ____



                                          Keo Fish Farm, Inc.,

                                           Keo, AR, June 21, 1999.
     Sen. Blanch Lincoln,
     United States Senate, Washington, D.C. 20510
       Dear Senator Lincoln: As I discussed earlier with you, Keo 
     Fish Farm, Inc. would consider it most appropriate for the 
     Stuttgart Fish Farming Experiment Station to be re-named 
     after its long-time Director, Dr. Harry K. Dupree. I believe 
     you will find widespread support among Arkansas' fish farmers 
     for such action.
           Sincerely,
                                                      Mike Freeze.
                                 ______