[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 153 (Thursday, September 25, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Page S9483]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO JIM MILLER

  Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I come to the floor today to honor my 
former budget analyst for agriculture, Jim Miller, for his exemplary 
service. For the last 4 years, Jim has served me as my lead agriculture 
adviser. His efforts have helped produce great legislative successes 
for our Nation's farmers and ranchers.
  Jim's knowledge of agriculture is extraordinary. His encyclopedic 
familiarity with Federal agriculture policy allowed him to know the 
answer to any question I would ask about agriculture. Throughout his 
service, he garnered the respect and admiration of his colleagues as 
well as other Senators for his intelligence and his good nature. His 
wise counsel will be missed.
  Jim came to my office in August 2004 after working for the National 
Farmers Union. Even though Jim had 20 years of agriculture policy 
expertise and had farmed in his native Washington State for over 20 
years before coming to Washington, he had never worked on Capitol Hill.
  But he hit the ground running. Shortly after Jim joined my staff, he 
helped me pass an agriculture disaster assistance package for North 
Dakota farmers and ranchers in 2004. He also worked for 3 long years to 
secure additional disaster assistance for North Dakota farmers stricken 
with flooding in 2005 and severe drought in 2006.
  I will always remember Jim for his work during the 2008 farm bill. 
Jim was my lead negotiator and captain of my farm bill team. Without 
his leadership and dedication, this most recent farm bill would not be 
as strong as it is. He gave this effort thousands upon thousands of 
hours of his time, working with people on both sides of the aisle and 
in both Houses of Congress to get a fantastic end result. He was 
responsible for helping me deliver the top priorities for North Dakota 
producers: increased farm program support levels and a standing 
disaster program.
  I thank him for helping this Congress produce what I think is the 
best farm bill we have ever had. And it isn't just me that thinks 
this--it is reflected in the recordbreaking votes we had in the Senate 
and the large margin of victory we had on overriding the President's 
two vetoes.
  Since Jim left my office, he has rejoined the National Farmers Union. 
I will forever be grateful for his tireless efforts, his creative 
thinking, his coalition building, and friendship. I wish him all the 
best in his new endeavor.

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