[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 68 (Thursday, April 26, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5181-S5182]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO CECIL E. WILLIAMS, JR.

 Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, today I wish to honor the life of a 
man revered as the most influential man in Arkansas agriculture. Cecil 
E. Williams, Jr., who passed on April 12, was respected by his peers 
and seen as an unparalleled advocate for farmer's interests, where he 
tried to save not only their lives, but also their jobs and livelihood.
  Undoubtedly, agriculture is the backbone of rural Arkansas and rural 
America. Today, Arkansas agriculture provides nearly one in every five 
jobs in my State, and we rank in the top 10 nationally in the 
production of many commodities, including rice and cotton, where we 
rank No. 1 and No. 2 respectively. Much of Arkansas' success in 
agriculture can be directly attributed to Cecil Williams and his hard 
work. Mr. Williams worked hard during his lifetime to make Arkansas 
agriculture a force to be reckoned with while establishing workable, 
sensible, and sound farm policy. For nearly 40 years, Cecil Williams, 
known as the ``Dean of Farm Bills,'' served as the director of the 
Agricultural Council of Arkansas, ACA, where he took great pride in 
serving what he considered a worthwhile cause: farmers and agriculture.
  After receiving an agribusiness degree in 1960 from Louisiana State 
University, Mr. Williams began his career as a fieldworker for the 
National Cotton Council and gained valuable insight into the 
production, business, and policy angles of agriculture. After an 
impressive 5 years with the National Cotton Council, the Agricultural 
Council of Arkansas recognized his talents and heavily recruited him to 
join their ranks. Once at the council, he quickly ascended to a 
leadership role with the organization and went on to fight for farm 
policy that made sense for Arkansas, improve checkoff programs for

[[Page S5182]]

crops, and provide better insurance programs. One of Williams' most 
storied accomplishments was getting the average farmer involved in the 
leadership and policy development process, most notably by developing 
the National Cotton Council's Producer Steering Committee. To this day, 
the Steering Committee continues to ensure producers have an active 
voice on policy issues. He never underestimated the knowledge and 
influence carried by the producer. Farmers all over Arkansas 
appreciated that and never forgot the respect he gave their opinions.
  Cecil Williams took each event in stride and persevered with 
leadership and optimism. His ability to develop and foster leadership 
among the producer ranks was and still is an impressive feat. His 
relentless defense of agriculture, and the years he spent cultivating 
active and knowledgeable producers in Arkansas will be long remembered 
by those whose lives he touched through his tireless devotion. I am 
always proud to see Arkansas farmers when they make their way to 
Washington or when I am traveling the state. These are, without a doubt 
in my mind, the best farmers in America thanks to the leadership of 
people like Cecil Williams.
  During his lifetime, Williams always led by example and stayed true 
to his cause; rarely will you find such a noble and grounded leader. 
This was a man who could see the big picture and still thoroughly 
understand the components needed on the ground. He believed firmly in 
what he represented and remained active in production agriculture and 
the legislative arena up until his last days.
  Arkansas agriculture has suffered a great loss with the passing of 
Cecil Williams, but we will continue to remember this great man and 
benefit from his foresight and leadership. During his lifetime, Cecil 
Williams saw the passage of numerous farm bills and agricultural laws. 
From his active role in production agriculture and agricultural policy, 
he was also able to see the consequences of both good and bad farm 
policy. As Congress works on drafting the 2007 farm bill, let us not 
forget the legacy Cecil Williams left behind and take heed from the 
wisdom of his decades of experience.
  I pay my tribute to this legend of Arkansas agriculture and express 
my greatest condolences to his family. He will be missed.

                          ____________________