[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1291]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO DONALD E. DIXON

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I would like to make a statement in 
recognition of one of my very close friends out in Idaho who has just 
had a wonderful accomplishment in his life. He is a neighbor, a friend, 
and a member of my staff from Idaho, Don Dixon.
  On March 24, Don will be given the distinct honor of induction into 
the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of Fame. The honor reflects his 
commitment to farming in Idaho and the respect and esteem in which he 
is held in our community. I know you join eastern Idaho and myself in 
extending to Don congratulations on this achievement.
  Don is a lifelong farmer and resident of Idaho Falls, ID. He owns and 
tends the farm his grandfather purchased in 1900 and, thereafter, was 
owned by his father. Apparently, the farming bug hit Don hard because 
he took over the Dixon operation with his brother soon after college 
and his military service. A measure of his success is reflected by his 
continued expansion of the farm and livestock and the handover of a 
solid operation to his son.
  For years, Don's work has produced some of the region's best 
potatoes, in a State that has the world's finest spuds, cattle, hay, 
and grain. In this time of agriculture distress and low prices, Don has 
demonstrated himself to be a model farmer by taking steps to protect 
the environment by undertaking the best management practices and water 
conservation through improved irrigation techniques. We can all be 
proud of his work to be a productive member of the agriculture 
community and a good steward of the land.
  Although his induction into the Hall of Fame is a special 
accomplishment, Don has long been chosen as a representative of his 
community. He has been an active member of eastern Idaho's business and 
agriculture organizations for as long as I can remember. Don has served 
on the board of the Eastern Idaho State Fair and, for 6 years, served 
on the Idaho Potato Commission, a post nominated by our Governor. His 
recognition at the national level is evident from Don's successes as 
Director of the National Potato Promotion Board.
  In 1995, Don joined my staff and served with distinction through the 
balance of my House tenure, working on agriculture and natural 
resources issues. He was instrumental in my work with farmers and 
ranchers throughout the State during the debate on the 1996 farm bill. 
When I was elected to the Senate in 1998, Don agreed to continue our 
partnership by becoming my State Director of Agriculture, a position he 
has fulfilled with distinction and widely-held respect.
  Don has served the people of Idaho above and beyond the call of duty, 
meeting more farmers and community leaders than any of his peers and 
probably has logged enough miles on his pickup truck to circumnavigate 
the world several times. The patience and understanding of his wife 
Georgia, his four children, and extended family for his work is a 
testament to Don's commitment to service and leadership in eastern 
Idaho's agriculture community.
  Don's generosity and good-natured approach to life and work is also 
reflected in his induction into the Eastern Idaho Agriculture Hall of 
Fame. He is a valued counselor and friend of my entire family. I salute 
him on the accomplishment of this high honor. I know you and my 
colleagues in the Senate join me in offering our congratulations to Don 
Dixon.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Bunning). The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I thank my colleagues who were able to 
work out time back and forth on various issues.

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