[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 176 (Tuesday, December 9, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S16116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



  (At the request of Mr. Daschle, the following statement was ordered 
to be printed in the Record.)

           CONGRATULATING AG PRODUCER OF THE YEAR KIRK CORDES

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I wish to publicly congratulate 
Kirk Cordes of Rapid City, SD, for receiving the Ag Producer of the 
Year award at the Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce Ag Appreciation 
banquet.
  The Ag Producer of the Year is awarded to one recipient a year who 
distinguishes themselves in the Agricultural Business Community in 
South Dakota. The award has been given out since 2001. The award goes 
to a person who uses the most recent and innovative technology to 
further advance the agriculture industry for the better.
  Kirk Cordes understands the word perseverance. Mr. Cordes was raised 
on a ranch outside of Elm Springs, SD, where he attended elementary 
school in a one room school house. After graduating from South Dakota 
State University in 1970 with a degree in agriculture/business, he 
worked hard and saved his income. In 1973, the hard work and 
determination paid off. He bought his mother and father in-law's 6,800 
acre ranch, and he and his family have owned and operated the ranch 
ever since.
  Kirk Cordes has been recognized numerous times for his devotion to 
the agricultural industry in South Dakota. Among his numerous awards, 
he is a member of various organizations and serves on many boards. He 
is a past director of the Pennington County Soil Conservation District. 
He has also been a past director, vice president and State president of 
the South Dakota section for range management and recipient of Rangeman 
of the year for South Dakota in 1983. He is a current member of the 
South Dakota Cattlemen's Association, the National Cattlemen's Beef 
Association, the Rapid City Area Chamber Ag Committee and the Western 
South Dakota Buckaroos. For the past 10 years, he has been president of 
the West River/Lyman Jones Rural Water Systems, which is part of the 
Mni Wiconi Water Project.
  After 30 years of ranching, Kirk and his wife Kathy will be turning 
the ranch over to their son and daughter-in-law.
  I am pleased that his agricultural leadership is being publicly 
recognized and that his achievements will serve as a model for all 
outstanding agricultural producers throughout the State to emulate. It 
is with great honor that I share his impressive achievements with my 
colleagues.

                          ____________________