[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 10 (Monday, February 2, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S366]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING MYRON EDLEMAN

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I today publicly recognize Myron 
Edleman on his retirement from the Farm Credit Council. He has had the 
honor of representing farmers and ranchers in American agriculture 
since the mid-1980s when he was first elected to his first Farm Credit 
System entity board of directors. Over the years, the system 
configurations may have changed but Myron's service to the system 
remains as dedicated as it was when he first walked into a board room. 
He has served as an association director, a bank director and as 
representative on the Farm Credit Council. Additionally, he has been 
appointed to select committees, advisory committees, search committees 
and other system assignments too varied and too numerous to itemize. 
His tenure at Farm Credit has been mutually rewarding. He takes with 
him friendships and associations that he will forever treasure and 
leaves behind a legacy of commitment and effectiveness which few 
involved in the system have equaled.
  Myron was born and grew up in Willow Lake, SD. He was an outstanding 
student at Willow Lake High School and served as valedictorian of his 
senior class. He lettered 16 times, once a year for football, 
basketball, and track. He was named to All-State teams in both 
basketball and football. Despite an opportunity to try out as a catcher 
for the Chicago Cubs, Myron instead opted for a football scholarship at 
Kansas State University. But his love, known even then, was ranching 
and instead of pursuing his college education, he returned to Willow 
Lake to go to into partnership with his father.
  Returning to Willow Lake, he married his high school sweetheart, Jean 
Brower, raised three children, and was a vital part of this small South 
Dakota community. He served as an elder and a deacon of the 
Presbyterian Church and was a member of the Gideons. He served also on 
the Willow Lake Farmers Elevator board of directors for many years. He 
and his father worked together raising purebred Hereford bulls and 
today's Edleman Ranch is a fourth generation operation which he owns 
and operates with his eldest son, Marshall. Together they run a Red 
Angus commercial cow/calf operation. He is also involved with sons 
Marshall and Jason as joint owners of the Split Rock Cattle Company. 
Additionally, he is chairman of Beef Origins, a family-owned business 
which is involved in a computer based livestock identification program. 
Unexpectedly, Jean passed on in 1989.
  Myron's in-depth knowledge of both the livestock and farming 
industries has proven invaluable in his ability to represent farmers 
and ranchers in a positive and effective manner. His ability to 
articulate that knowledge and share it in a meaningful way has also 
been essential to the success he has achieved as a director. And his 
unwavering commitment has been without peer. No matter how last minute 
the meeting, how inconvenient the conference call time or how many 
times flights had to be re-booked. Myron has always been there, on time 
and on top of the issues. Add to this mix his strong personal 
characteristics of honesty, integrity and a keen intelligence, plus a 
handshake that conveys not only strength but honor, and it is easy to 
see why Myron is widely regarded as the most respected and effective 
director in Farm Credit System.
  Always able to separate his personal politics and opinions from his 
directorial duties, Myron has worked unceasingly for agriculture and 
those who are part of the industry in an unbiased and professional 
manner. His countless contributions will be missed not only by his 
colleagues and his friends, but by agriculture as a whole. We are 
grateful for his service and wish continued success for his future. 
Myron looks forward to spending his retirement with his wife Anne whom 
he married in 1992.
  It is with great pleasure that I share his impressive accomplishments 
with my colleagues.

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