[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 29 (Wednesday, March 8, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E306-E307]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              HONORING THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DENNIS WIESE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. STEPHANIE HERSETH

                            of south dakota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2006

  Ms. HERSETH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pay tribute 
to an individual who has earned a reputation as one of the most 
important and influential agricultural leaders in my home state of 
South Dakota. Very recently, the longtime president of the South Dakota 
Farmers Union, Dennis Wiese, retired from that position and passed the 
torch to the next generation of farm leaders. It is on this occasion 
that I would like to recognize and honor the valuable contributions 
that he has made to the South Dakota Farmers Union and to South Dakota 
agriculture.
  Dennis first began his involvement in agriculture as a young boy on 
his family's farm near Flandreau, South Dakota. After graduating from 
high school he began farming. As he immersed himself in the operation 
of his farm, Dennis became increasingly interested in agricultural and 
rural issues that he saw affecting family agriculture. This led to 
active participation in farm policy debates. In 1993, this interest 
culminated in his election as the president of the South Dakota Farmers 
Union, one of the most influential farm organizations in our state. In 
that role, Dennis served as a staunch and effective advocate for public 
policy on behalf of the state's farmers and ranchers. He earned a 
reputation as an honest and valuable source of information, and a 
fountain of new ideas for positive policy change. He also 
simultaneously served as a member of the board of directors of the 
National Farmers Union Property and Casualty Insurance Companies.
  During his time as president of the South Dakota Farmers Union he met 
with national leaders, including President Bill Clinton on several 
occasions, to discuss issues affecting rural America. Dennis counseled 
many members of Congress on agricultural matters, including Senators 
Tim Johnson, Tom Daschle, Larry Pressler and John Thune, and 
Congressman Bill Janklow and myself, among others. He also has served 
on national agricultural panels with other prominent rural leaders and 
he has testified before the Senate and House agriculture committees on 
numerous occasions.
  I had the great good fortune to work with Dennis in another of his 
important endeavors; one that I think will be one of his finest 
legacies. In 2003, he was the driving force behind the creation and 
success of the South Dakota Farmers Union Foundation, a nonprofit 
charitable organization that conducts education programs that teach 
youth, young adults, farm families, and others about cooperatives and 
other issues important to family farm agriculture and our rural 
communities. I was fortunate enough to be the first executive director 
of that worthy organization and was able to see first hand the talent 
and dedication that Dennis brings to all of his efforts to assist South 
Dakota and rural America.
  Dennis announced in January of 2005 that he would not seek re-
election after serving 12 years as president of the 14,000-member South 
Dakota Farmers Union. He was replaced in an election in November of 
last year by another impressive agriculture leader in my state, Doug 
Sombke. Since Dennis' retirement, he has started a government affairs 
and economic development consulting firm in his home town of Flandreau, 
South Dakota. He is now putting his full energies into expanding that 
business. He is working on many significant and important projects, 
including the expansion of South Dakota processing company that 
produces and markets locally grown premium Hereford beef.
  It is because of the leadership of bright and dedicated men and women 
like Dennis Wiese that the challenges facing farmers and ranchers 
across the country receive the attention

[[Page E307]]

they deserve and the unique needs of rural America are heard. It was my 
pleasure to work with Dennis during my time leading the South Dakota 
Farmers Union Foundation, and also to benefit from his experience, 
wisdom, and counsel during my first year in Congress and on the House 
Agriculture Committee.
  Dennis' family, including his wife, Julie, and his children Dayton, 
Kyle, Owen, Austin and Elissa are justifiably proud of their father and 
husband for his work on behalf of family farmers and ranchers. I look 
forward to continuing our close and valuable relationship with Dennis 
as he continues to serve South Dakota and American agriculture.

                          ____________________