[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 171 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S13986-S13987]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO DON DIXON

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, it is with mixed emotions that I bid 
farewell to a longtime member of my staff but, more importantly, a 
trusted friend of many years. Don Dixon has served as my State director 
of agriculture for the past 12 years. His service has been exemplary; 
nothing less can be imagined from Don--he is a man of the highest 
character, a man whose honesty, trustworthiness, kindness, 
intelligence, dependability and wisdom are firmly rooted in a 
foundation of humility. He came to me with a well-established 
reputation for fairness and extensive knowledge of Idaho agriculture. 
Throughout more than a decade of public service, I can honestly say 
that I have learned more from him than he from me. I have the highest 
regard for Don; he is irreplaceable. Fortunately, it is just Senate 
employment that he is leaving, and I get to enjoy his friendship and 
insight for years to come.
  As a farmer with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by 
producers, Don has been reliable counsel to the agriculture community, 
the Idaho delegation and others as he has worked for sound agriculture 
policy. Don has been recognized for his dedication to agriculture 
through awards, such as the Governor's Excellence in Agriculture Award 
and induction in the Eastern Idaho Agricultural Hall of Fame. It is 
also nearly impossible to find an aspect of Idaho agriculture that Don 
has not been involved with through membership of organizations and 
councils, service on boards, and continuous outreach.
  In addition to his experience, Don brings contagious enthusiasm and 
energy to everything he undertakes, and serves as not only a strong 
advocate for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but also provides 
exemplary counsel to fellow farmers and ranchers. Don's easy going 
personality is complemented by a sharp mind and quick

[[Page S13987]]

wit. Idaho agriculture has benefited in incalculable ways from his 
wisdom, wealth of hard-earned knowledge and his ability to see the 
bigger picture when it comes to dealing with issues important to 
Idaho's agriculture community such as water, land use, grazing and 
animal management, conservation, invasive species and community 
relations. His has been a voice of reason and calm in the sometimes 
thorny conflicts that occur between Federal, State and local 
agriculture regulations and issues. Don has been a tireless spokesman 
for Idaho's growers and ranchers, a community leader and a good friend 
to many. It has been an incredible honor and a pleasure to have him on 
my staff. Don has taught me many things, among them the wisdom of a 
gate wide enough to accommodate a tiller, and the vast array of Idaho 
scenery that can be even better appreciated when ``big'' lost in the 
Little Lost.
  Don has been an essential part of my hometown office, in Idaho Falls; 
as a result, I share office space with Don when I am home. For most of 
us, the little things that make our offices ours say quite a bit about 
who we are. Don keeps a supply of Whoppers in his desk, finishes his 
coffee, cold, in the afternoons, tracks useful information--what 
Idahoans like to call ``scuttlebutt''--and keeps a dollar bill in his 
desk drawer. He has created many different storage options for himself 
in his office, has a reputation as a skilled charades player and color 
codes activities on his calendar. A little light-hearted personal work 
space analysis reveals that Don, a whopper of a fellow and true to his 
farming and ranching roots, is wisely frugal, keeps informed about his 
community, and is prepared for any emergency. He is creative, inventive 
and works hard to keep his friendships colorful, nurtured and long-
lasting.
  I want to thank Don for his many years of service, and thank his wife 
Georgia for her support as he has worked for me. The schedule isn't 
always the most family-friendly, and she, like Don, has braved it with 
a sense of humor and patience.
  He has served Idahoans with excellence, and, as he takes the helm of 
the Idaho State Farm Services Agency, his knowledge, character and 
wisdom will continue to serve Idaho agriculture. I will miss him on my 
staff.

                          ____________________