[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 6, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E289]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       IN HONOR OF THOMAS G. FERN

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. KEN LUCAS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 6, 2001

  Mr. LUCAS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of 
Thomas G. Fern, immediate past State Director of the United States 
Department of Agriculture in Kentucky.
  For more than 35 years, Mr. Fern has served the people of Kentucky 
thru his work at USDA/Rural Development, formerly the Farmers Home 
Administration. Mr. Fern served as Assistant County Director, County 
Director, and District Director before being appointed State Director 
by President Clinton in 1993. His broad experience in agriculture, 
housing, and community development made him a strong advocate for the 
people of rural Kentucky. His wealth of experience and knowledge 
qualified him to serve on various committees and commissions such as 
the Kentucky Renaissance Committee, The Kentucky Rural Water Resource 
Commission, and the Kentucky Appalachian Commission.
  Mr. Fern administered with great professionalism the programs offered 
by USDA Rural Development, including Rural Utilities Service, Rural 
Housing Service, and Rural Business Service, as well as the Empowerment 
Zone, Enterprise Community, and Champion Communities programs. Mr. Fern 
worked hard to help rural Kentucky reap the benefits of these programs. 
As a result, many community improvements were funded during Mr. Fern's 
time as State Director of USDA/Rural Development, and I and my fellow 
Kentuckians owe him a big thank-you. Projects funded under his 
leadership will improve the quality of life in the great Commonwealth 
of Kentucky for decades to come.
  I rise today to commend Thomas G. Fern for his 35 years of service to 
the people of rural Kentucky. I ask my colleagues to join me in 
thanking him and wishing him well.

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