[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 47 (Thursday, April 13, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S2723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         WITTMAN FAMILY WINS MILLENNIUM FARM/RANCH FAMILY AWARD

 Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to bring your attention 
to the recent accomplishment of the Wittman family from my home state 
of Idaho. Today, they will be receiving the Millennium Farm/Ranch 
Family Award for agricultural and forestry stewardship. I know you join 
Idaho and myself in extending to the Wittman family congratulations on 
this achievement.
  The Wittman family has worked their land near Lapwai, Idaho since the 
early 1920's. They have used that knowledge to give us an on the ground 
perspective when we have written farm policy. Most recently, their 
views helped shape the reforms made to the crop insurance program.
  Wittman Farms is a fourth-generation family farm operation using 
sound conservation and stewardship practices. In 1988, the family 
joined forces with the nearby Valley Boys and Girls Clubs to build 
``Camp Wittman,'' a totally solar-powered destination where students 
and educators can share in a hands-on environmental experience to learn 
farming practices in the mountain meadow environment of the Palouse.
  The Wittman Family has given to our youth, our educators, our local 
and national governments, and broken ground for more than just the 
purposes of next year's crop.
  In these tough times for farmers, agriculture needs leaders who 
indeed look to the future while learning from the past. I am proud to 
honor the Wittman family as a Millennium Farm/Ranch Family Award 
winners and proud to call them fellow Idahoans.
  It is indeed my pleasure as an Idaho Senator to honor the Wittman 
family as agriculture pioneers for Idaho--and to thank them for 
contributing so much to our next millennium in Agriculture. I know you 
and my colleagues in the Senate join me in offering our congratulations 
to the Wittman family.
  Thank you, Mr. President.

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