[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 102 (Monday, July 25, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H6409]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               A CELEBRATION OF INA MAE SELFRIDGE'S LIFE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Moran) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, this evening I rise to recognize 
and celebrate the life of a constituent and friend, Ina Mae Selfridge. 
Ina passed away suddenly on Sunday, July 17, at the age of 76. Her 
death is a tremendous loss to her family, her community, and the many 
individuals who were fortunate enough to call her a friend.
  Probably the greatest compliment I could give Ina is that she was a 
great farm girl. In truth, she embodied much of what is good and decent 
about the family farm and the way of life we enjoy in Kansas. Ina is 
one of those people you meet and you think to yourself, I am in the 
presence of an extraordinary human being.
  I have known Ina through her many years of service to the 
organization Women Involved in Farm Economics, otherwise known as WIFE. 
Most recently, Ina was the national president of WIFE and has served in 
this position for the past 2 years. Ina was also the State president 
and member of the Gold Waves Chapter 76 of WIFE located in central and 
southwest Kansas.
  It would not be fitting to talk about Ina and not bring up the ideals 
and accomplishments of WIFE. Ina truly cared about agriculture and 
about rural communities. On her many visits to Washington over the 
years, Ina joined other WIFE leaders to advocate on behalf of the 
family farm. From health care to energy policy to emergency drought 
assistance, Ina knew what was going on in farm country because she 
lived it each and every day.
  In fact, Ina's trips to D.C. were usually scheduled so they would not 
interfere with harvest. In written testimony she gave in 2003 on credit 
availability in rural areas, she wrote that she would have preferred to 
be here in person, but it was wheat harvest and ``all hands are on deck 
for the entire family.'' Indeed, Ina was an integral part of her family 
farm, even at age 76.
  Ina farmed in true partnership with her husband Elmer Selfridge and 
several of her sons. Their farm in eastern Hodgeman County included 
wheat, forages and grains for their 1,000-head feedlot. She is survived 
by her husband; her four sons, Randy, Tyler, Brad, and Wade; and nine 
grandchildren.
  Ina would want me to use part of this time to talk about agriculture. 
Today I wear a domino on my lapel that she gave to me. It represents 
WIFE's theme that agriculture has a domino effect on America. Like 
dominos standing next to each other, when the farmer suffers economic 
loss, so do local businesses, schools, communities, churches, and local 
government. Today, however, I wear the domino to show how Ina's life 
had a positive domino effect on the many lives of everyone who came in 
contact with her.
  Ina had an enthusiasm that few possess. You could not be around Ina 
and not feel a sense of excitement about what the future might hold. 
The pioneer spirit of optimism and hard work that established farms 
across Kansas was alive and strong in Ina. Insights into the life she 
lived can be derived from her e-mail address, which is simply 
``happy.'' This is not to say there were not hardships on the farm. 
Many parts of Kansas are just now recovering from 5 years of drought, 
but Ina's can-do personality is an inspiration to us all.
  The last time she was in my office she said, ``I may not be the WIFE 
president next year, but I will be back again to remind you about the 
importance of agriculture.'' Today I bet she would say, ``Time to get 
back to work. The wheat harvest is in, but we must get ready for the 
fall crops.''
  Our thoughts and prayers go out to Ina's family in this time of 
difficulty with the knowledge that their loss on Earth is God's gain in 
heaven. It is my absolute privilege to have known Ina. The world is a 
better place because of her, and she will be greatly missed.

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