[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 3 (Wednesday, January 26, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S95-S96]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO MR. BOB EDDLEMAN

 Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to salute 
the outstanding public service of a conservationist and member of the 
agriculture community in the state of Indiana.
  After 42 years of service, Bob Eddleman, Indiana State 
Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural 
Resources Conservation Service, retired at the end of December. In his 
role as public servant, Bob set an example for everyone with his 
steadfast concern for conservation and dedication to the preservation 
of natural resources of his home state.
  Mr. Eddleman was born and raised on a farm in Crawford County, 
Indiana. He was an active member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America 
and took an interest in activities relating to the conservation of soil 
and water resources. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in 
Agriculture at Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration 
from the University of Oklahoma.
  His career of federal service began in 1957 as a student trainee for 
the USDA Soil Conservation Service in English, Indiana. After serving 
as a soil conservationist, a district conservationist and an area 
conservationist in Indiana, his career path took him to New York as 
assistant state conservationist and then back to the Midwest as deputy 
state conservationist in Illinois. In 1980 Bob returned to the Hoosier 
state as state conservationist.

[[Page S96]]

  In his role as state conservationist with the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, Mr. Eddleman has demonstrated an exceptional 
commitment to conserving Indiana's soil and water resources and has 
devoted himself to building a strong federal, state, and local 
partnership to provide services to Indiana citizens. He is also a 
leading advocate for Indiana's soil and water conservation districts. 
The individual accomplishments of Mr. Eddleman are many, but his years 
of service reflect his dedication to building working partnerships. As 
the result of his guidance and leadership, Indiana's Conservation 
Partnership is recognized as a model for other states to use to 
increase soil and water conservation practices on the land.
  Mr. Eddleman served on many state-wide natural resource work groups 
that have directed conservation actions in Indiana including: the 
Indiana Lakes Management Group; the Great Lakes Watershed Management 
Group; the Maumee River Basin Study; the Indiana Water Committee; and 
the Indiana Natural Resources Land Use work group. Bob has been a 4-H 
leader for 27 years, has served on the Marion County Extension Board 
for 9 years, was recognized as a fellow of the Soil and Water 
Conservation Society (SWCS), and currently serves on the SWCS Board of 
Directors. In 1995 he received the Distinguished Agricultural Alumni 
Award from Purdue University in recognition of his professional 
achievements and dedicated service to agriculture and society.
  Finally, Bob Eddleman served as a mentor and role model to others in 
federal service. There are a great number of leaders within the USDA 
Natural Resources Conservation Service who have gained skills in 
leadership and partnership building by working for and with Bob.
  Mr. President, I regret that the State of Indiana and all 
conservationists will be losing Bob Eddleman. With special thanks, I 
salute him for his service and wish him well as he embarks upon new 
endeavors.

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