[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 153 (Wednesday, November 3, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Page S13835]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING ANNE KANTEN

 Mr. WELLSTONE. Mr. President, I speak today to say a few words 
about a remarkable farm leader and humanitarian, Anne Kanten.
  Anne has served for 18 years on the board of directors of the Farmers 
Legal Action Group (F.L.A.G.), a non-profit law firm based in St. Paul, 
Minnesota, and dedicated to helping family farmers obtain economic and 
social justice. I salute Anne Kanten for her enlightened guidance to 
F.L.A.G. during her years as a director and her years on the board. But 
far more than that, I want to take this moment to acknowledge Anne 
Kanten's lifetime of service to others.
  Anne served as Minnesota's Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture and as 
Chief Administrator of the Minnesota Farm Advocate Program during the 
years of farm crisis in the 1980's. She was a founding member of the 
American Agriculture Movement who, with her husband Chuck and son Kent, 
helped plan and carry out the Washington, DC Tractorcade of 1979. In 
addition, Anne has been a long time spokesperson for stewardship of the 
land and its people through her various leadership roles in her church.
  Her efforts to achieve justice for farm families continue to this 
day.
  Anne Kanten grew up on an Iowa farm, the daughter of immigrants who 
came to our country in pursuit of a better life. By her own admission, 
she longed to escape the 1930's Depression of her rural childhood. 
After attending college and becoming a teacher, Anne became re-
connected to the land when she married Chuck Kanten, a young farmer 
from Milan, Minnesota. Anne and Chuck Kanten represent the best of 
American Life. They raised a wonderful family on their farm home. They 
believe strongly in giving of themselves.
  I consider myself honored and fortunate to count Anne Kanten as my 
friend. I ask the Senate today to join me in recognizing Anne Kanten 
for her years of service to the Farmers Legal Action Group and to farm 
families everywhere.

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