[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 7 (Tuesday, February 5, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S343]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              NATIONAL FARMERS UNION PRESIDENT LEE SWENSON

  Mr. JOHNSON. Madam President, I rise today to honor an individual for 
his extraordinary leadership for family farmers and ranchers in South 
Dakota and across the entire country. Mr. Leland Swenson has been the 
president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) for the past fourteen 
years, and the president of the South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) for 7 
years prior to that. For the past 20 years, Lee has been the leading 
voice for family farm agriculture in the country. During his tenure in 
these positions, Lee has provided immeasurable service, support, and 
leadership for family farmers and ranchers in efforts to maintain 
prosperity of rural communities.
  A native of Minnesota, Lee was recruited to begin his career with 
South Dakota Farmers Union in 1971 as the Secretary/Treasurer. Lee was 
a very successful organizer, resulting in an increase in membership for 
6 out of his 8 years at this post. Because of his talent, initiative, 
and ingenuity, Lee joined the National Farmers Union headquarters in 
Denver, CO as Field Services Coordinator. Lee's dedication to building 
a membership base and maintaining that base is something to be admired. 
Returning to South Dakota, Lee was elected the president of SDFU in 
1981. During his swearing in ceremony, Mr. Swenson pledged to 
``preserve, protect and defend the family farm system of agriculture.'' 
Lee has fulfilled that promise time and time again.
  While farm prices were dropping and interest rates were rising in the 
1980's, Lee rose to the challenge of preserving the family farm in his 
role as president. In response to a veto of an emergency credit bill by 
President Reagan in 1985, Lee organized over 8,000 farmers and ranchers 
to gather for a ``Farm Alliance Rally'' in Pierre, SD. This was the 
second largest farm rally ever to be held at the state capital. Two 
other organizations were involved in gathering attendants, resulting in 
25 Jackrabbit Line busses bringing the farmers and ranchers to South 
Dakota's capital city. The overwhelming number of constituents rallying 
could not be ignored by the state legislators, therefore the state 
legislature appropriated funds to send the 105 member body plus the 
governor to Washington, DC to lobby Congress for the restructuring of 
farm and ranch debt at serviceable interest rates. This first rally 
served as a stepping stone for Lee to organize another rural rally 15 
years later in Washington. In 2000, bus loads of farmers, ranchers, 
church leaders, labor organizations, and rural community leaders 
gathered at the nation's capital to rally for the sustainability of 
rural America. Without the experience, dedication, or conviction of Lee 
Swenson this rally would not have been a success.
  For the last 100 years, the primary goal of National Farmers Union 
has been to sustain and strengthen family farm and ranch agriculture. 
The key to this goal has been Farmers Union's grassroots structure in 
which policy positions are initiated locally. National Farmers Union 
believes that good opportunities in production agriculture are the 
foundation of strong farm and ranch families and that strong farm and 
ranch families are the basis for thriving rural communities. In order 
for these goals and values to be carried out consistently, a well-
respected, talented, and dedicated leader is vital. That is exactly 
what Lee Swenson provided to the organization.
  Lee Swenson has achieved a number of other accomplishments during his 
tenure with the National Farmers Union. Bringing the states of Alaska, 
California, and Missouri into the organization, organizing the single 
largest farm rally in Washington, DC and expanding the government 
relations, communications and education departments of the NFU.
  As National Farmers Union celebrates their 100th anniversary this 
year, and Lee steps down from his post as president, the delegation 
body can look back on prior accomplishments and be nothing but proud. 
Proud of their organization, proud of their commitment to family 
farmers and ranchers, and proud of their outgoing leader.
  Finally, Lee has always been dedicated to family agriculture, and I 
know he will continue to contribute to not only the state of South 
Dakota, but family agriculture across the country. Therefore, I wish 
him all the best and I will continue to rely upon his valuable insight 
on the sustainability of rural America. On behalf of the people of 
South Dakota, I want to thank Lee for being a true public servant who 
has helped improve the quality of life for thousands of rural 
Americans.

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