[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 4 (Monday, January 24, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S140]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         HONORING DENNIS WIESE

 Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I rise today to publicly commend 
the work of Mr. Dennis Wiese, President of South Dakota Farmers Union, 
SDFU, for his 12 years of dedicated service to South Dakota's farmers, 
ranchers and rural people. After six and a half terms as President of 
SDFU, Dennis has decided not to seek reelection and will begin his own 
consulting business in his hometown of Flandreau, SD.
  Over the years, Dennis has been extraordinarily committed to South 
Dakota agriculture and is a real ambassador for farming and ranching in 
the state. As chair of the National Farmers Union subcommittee that 
worked on the farm bill rural development section, Dennis' insight was 
invaluable, during negotiations on the Farm Security and Rural 
Investment Act of 2002.
  Since its establishment in 1914, South Dakota Farmers Union has 
consistently been a voice for family farmers and ranchers, always 
striving to improve the business climate for agriculture and the 
quality of life for all South Dakotans. Now, 91 years later, SDFU is 
regarded as the leader on issues concerning concentration in the agri-
business sector. I have always been able to rely on Dennis and the SDFU 
for the backing needed to stand up for the family agricultural 
producers and the special position they hold America's business and 
cultural structure. Always looking to improve the quality of rural 
living, Dennis has been a consistent champion for fair trade, even when 
the notion has been unpopular to some. Throughout his presidency, 
Dennis faced some difficult situations. However, he never lost focus on 
the concerns that are important to South Dakotan's and continued to 
work for the betterment of rural America.
  Under Dennis' leadership, SDFU has enhanced the lives of thousands of 
South Dakotans through various educational programs, particularly those 
aimed at the younger generation of farmers. Involvement in the SDFU 
education program jumped from 389 young producers enrolled in camps in 
1997, to over 1,200 participants in the most recent camps. These camps 
teach young people about the benefits of cooperatives and shared 
responsibility, as well as the important rural values that make South 
Dakota stronger. As Dennis noted in his farewell speech to SDFU:

       The most important Farmers Union is not the Farmers Union 
     of yesterday. It is not the Farmers Union that I inherited 
     from Dallas Tonsager, or the one we enjoy today. The most 
     important Farmers Union is the one we turn over to the next 
     generation of Farmers Union leaders. The most important 
     Farmers Union is the Farmers Union of tomorrow.

  Dennis' hard work as president is reflected in the impressive legacy 
he leaves behind. SDFU has a strong, expanding membership, and 
prosperous and thriving education program filled with innovative ideas 
to revitalize South Dakota's rural communities.
  It is with great honor that I share Dennis' accomplishments with my 
colleagues and publicly commend him for excellently serving South 
Dakota and family farmers. I wish the very best for him, his wife 
Julie, and his children Dayton, Kyle, Owen, Austin and Elysa.

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