[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 61 (Thursday, April 17, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     ACKNOWLEDGING MARY KATE RIDGEWAY'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO TENNESSEE 
                              AGRICULTURE

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                          HON. JOHN S. TANNER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2008

  Mr. TANNER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
accomplishments of my friend Mary Kate Ridgeway, who recently began an 
exciting new opportunity as director of the Henry County office of the 
University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension Service. Her new position 
will allow Mary Kate to continue more than 30 years of service to 
family farmers in Henry County and across Tennessee.
  Mary Kate is originally from Obion County. Her husband Don is deputy 
director of the Northwest Tennessee Economic Development Council. Don 
represented the 75th district in the Tennessee House of 
Representatives, where he served with distinction as the Democratic 
Caucus Chairman and Chairman of the House Transportation Committee. 
Their son, John Penn, who several years ago worked in our Washington 
office, and his wife Melissa have two children, Walker and Jackson.
  With bachelor's and master's degrees in family and consumer science 
education from the University of Tennessee at Martin, Mary Kate is also 
active in other important organizations in our community, including as 
secretary of Helping Hand Incorporated and co-chair of the Lifeline 
blood board.
  Madam Speaker, I appreciate you and our colleagues joining me as we 
thank Mary Kate Ridgeway for her long service to the agricultural 
community in west Tennessee and congratulate her on her new position as 
county director for the University of Tennessee Agriculture Extension 
program.

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