[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 31 (Friday, March 9, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2115-S2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      A TRIBUTE TO HAROLD HOWRIGAN

 Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I am very fortunate to be one of 
only one hundred individuals chosen to represent my fellow Americans 
here in the Senate. As a result of this work, I have the opportunity to 
meet many, many people. Occasionally I have come to know people who are 
so giving of themselves, so devoted to their life's work, that they 
truly serve as an inspiration. I would like to take a few moments to 
recognize one such individual, Harold Howrigan of Fairfield, VT.
  Harold has been a dairy farmer in Vermont his entire life and has 
been a Director of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery for over 20 
years, as well as the long-time President of the co-op. He has been 
actively involved with dairy promotion on State, national, and 
international levels, and has worked with practically every dairy farm 
organization that I know, including Dairy Management Inc., the National 
Milk Producers Federation, the U.S. Dairy Export Council, the National 
Dairy Board, the Vermont Farm Bureau, and the Northeast Interstate 
Dairy Compact Commission.
  Harold and his wife, Anne--a former school teacher, who is still a 
very active tutor, mentor and volunteer in the cause of education have 
also devoted themselves to educating future generations about 
agriculture, starting with their five children--Harold, Lawrence, 
Michael, Bridget and Ellen--and their 12 grandchildren. They are very 
special friends of my wife Marcelle, my children and me.
  Most recently, Harold has been honored as the recipient of what some 
call the ``Nobel Prize'' of the dairy industry, the Richard E. Lyng 
award from the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board. This award 
recognizes an individual for their ``distinguished service to dairy 
promotion and research.'' I can't think of another individual more 
deserving of this honor than Harold Howrigan.
  In a recent interview Harold said ``family farmers are the best, 
hardest working people in the world . . . it's a business and a way of 
living that is second to none in this country.'' I couldn't agree more 
and I thank Harold for the tremendous work he has done for the dairy 
industry in Vermont and across America, as well as the expert and 
unselfish counsel on agriculture he has provided to me and my staff 
over many years.
  I ask that an article about Harold be printed in the Record.
  The article follows:

          [From the St. Albans (VT) Messenger, Feb. 26, 2001]

                  To Harold Howrigan: Congratulations

                           (By Emerson Lynn)

       Occasionally, something happens that is so right that when 
     you learn about it, you pound the table and say, yes, that's 
     what should have happened.
       That's our response to the news that Harold Howrigan was 
     the recipient of the Richard E. Lyng Award for 
     ``distinguished service to dairy promotion and research.'' 
     The award, which is only given out periodically, is the 
     industry's equivalent to the Nobel Prize.
       There is not a person in the industry, anywhere, who 
     deserves the award more. That there may not be a kinder, more 
     professional person alive is an aside, what made the award so 
     appropriate is the incredible level of dedication he has made 
     toward his profession, or, as he would say, his way of life.
       His name and the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery are 
     synonymous. He's its president

[[Page S2116]]

     and has sat on its board for two decades. If there is an 
     issue that involves the industry he is there, as he has been 
     for all rounds with the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. 
     He knows the politics of Washington and Montpelier as well as 
     any insider and he is as respected there as he is here.
       But what shines through all this is the understanding that 
     if the awards were not there his commitment would be no less. 
     He's a fortunate man; he believes in what he does and would 
     choose no other way of life. To Harold Howrigan, there is no 
     higher calling than producing food for a hungry world and, in 
     the process, keeping alive and vibrant a livelihood that's as 
     healthy as the milk he produces.
       He knows better than most the value of the industry's $350 
     million that sustains our communities. And he understands the 
     importance of pushing the industry's efforts far past 
     Franklin County's borders.
       But what he understands best is the meaning of the words he 
     once heard from his school's nun: ``Much has been given to 
     you, and much will be expected from you.''
       It can be safely said that he has met her 
     expectations.

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