[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 79 (Friday, June 14, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5583-S5584]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO RAYMOND D. EVANS

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I rise to pay tribute to the staple 
of the Missouri conservation community, Mr. Raymond D. Evans. Mr. Evans 
is retiring after 35 years of service with the Missouri Department of 
Conservation and he is a major contributor to the development of 
conservation provisions for the State of Missouri. Mr. Evan's 
fundamental efforts have played a role in developing provisions that 
helped land owners implement management practices to improve 
profitability and wildlife values by helping to protect the soil and 
water resources that are the foundation of agriculture and wildlife 
productivity. He has maintained the highest standard of excellence in 
his service to conservation and received several awards from his peers 
and associates as a result. These awards include the management Award 
from the Southeast Section of The

[[Page S5584]]

Wildlife Society, and Award of Merit from the ASCS for helping write 
and pass the Farm Bill. Mr. Evans has also received the American Motors 
Conservation Award for his many contributions to the success of the 
Missouri Conservation Department's coordinated forest habitat 
management program, and the E. Sydney Stephens Award for his career 
contributions to Missouri's wildlife resources. I wish to honor and 
thank him for his hard work and dedication to the preservation of 
wildlife and the environment.
  To people in Missouri, Mr. Evans has always been known as ``Ray''. 
His trademark ribbon tie, warm smile and commitment to his neighbors 
and the land they live on will remain his legacy. On the national 
scene, Ray has been a tireless advocate of Federal assistance to 
promote local initiatives. Ray has always understood that conservation 
is a ``public good'' and, consequently, the public should help 
landowners provide that public good. As a practicing farmer, Ray also 
understands and helps our urban friends understand that farmers are the 
most committed practitioners of conservation because it is good 
business and because they want to leave more value to their children 
and future generations. In other words, they want to leave it better 
than they found it. It is that understanding that won him the trust of 
landowners which is a key element to the success with which Ray is 
associated.
  Ray's advocacy has been tireless, both for him and those of us he 
pursued constantly. With Ray, the ``to-do'' list is never complete and 
every success is followed by a new initiative. Recently, after Ray 
witnessed President Bush signing the 4th consecutive Farm Bill Ray 
worked on, Ray innocently succeeded in lifting the President's speech 
and convincing the President to sign it for him. While Ray was a good 
enough salesman to pull that off, he couldn't get past the staff who 
have obligations to the National Archives but if anyone deserves a 
high-level souvenir for his work in conservation, it would be Ray. 
Nevertheless, I am pleased that Ray got some face time with the 
Commander-in-Chief out of the deal.
  On behalf of many citizens who benefited from his friendship, work, 
and guidance, I thank Ray and I thank his wife Carole for lending him 
to us. While I trust he will continue sharing his presence at many 
conservation-related events, I am pleased that he and Carole will have 
more time to enjoy time together. I recommend that he take her for long 
walks in the countryside so they can both appreciate what they have 
done for the landscape.

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