[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 156 (Sunday, September 28, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2120-E2121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO JOHN LINCOLN

                                 ______
                                 

                    HON. JOHN R. ``RANDY'' KUHL, JR.

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Saturday, September 27, 2008

  Mr. KUHL of New York. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
retirement of New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln.
  Throughout his career, John has proven time and again his commitment 
to bolstering our agriculture industry here in New York State.
  During his 12 years as President of the New York Farm Bureau, John 
has made a significant impact on our State's agricultural industry at 
every level. He has been a tireless advocate for the industry and he 
has never failed to communicate his enthusiasm for agriculture. As a 
member of many boards and task forces, John is one of the most 
respected and devoted members of our agricultural community.
  In the words of John himself, ``farming is a challenging business, 
and without farm bureau working for farmers, farmers simply wouldn't 
have a voice. We're too busy farming.''
  Yet, through it all he remained a farmer, operating a dairy farm with 
his wife Anne.
  The farm has expanded over the years to include his daughter Julie 
and son Mike, ensuring that the next generation will keep farming in 
upstate N.Y.
  John Lincoln has been an outstanding leader and advocate for 
strengthening the agriculture industry in New York and across the 
Nation, and for that, I thank him and wish him the best in his 
retirement.

                 Lincoln to Retire as Farm Bureau Chief

                          (By Julie Sherwood)

       East Bloomfield.--John Lincoln will retire in December as 
     president of the New York State Farm Bureau after 14 years as 
     head of the agriculture advocacy organization that includes 
     52 county farm bureaus statewide.
       ``I am so honored to have been a part of this wonderful, 
     farmer-driven organization for all of these years,'' stated 
     Lincoln, an East Bloomfield dairy farmer. ``It's been a place 
     where, working together, we've been able to positively 
     advocate for real changes in public policy which have made a 
     difference in the ability of family farmers to live and farm 
     and thrive in New York.
       ``Farming is a challenging business, and without Farm 
     Bureau working for farmers with a constant presence in Albany 
     and D.C., farmers simply wouldn't have a voice. We're too 
     busy farming,'' he added.
       Delegates from each of the 52 counties in the bureau will 
     vote for a new president at a two-day meeting in Albany in 
     December.
       Lincoln, who served 29 years on the state Farm Bureau's 
     board of directors, said he thinks it's time for ``the next 
     crop of farm leaders to take their turn'' leading the 
     organization.
       During his tenure, Lincoln took part in major victories for 
     farmers including revisions to the agricultural-assessment 
     program, the beginning of the farmland-protection program, 
     passage of the farmers' school property-tax credit, 
     authorizing interstate shipment of wine, incentive programs 
     to encourage on-farm production of renewable energy and the 
     recent boost of funding for specialty crops through the 
     federal Farm Bill passed this year.
       ``John has been a great asset for New York agriculture,'' 
     said Laura Pedersen, president of the Ontario County Farm 
     Bureau. ``We will miss him representing us'' at both the 
     state and national level.
       In addition to being president of the state Farm Bureau, 
     with its 30,000 member families, Lincoln also serves on the 
     American Farm Bureau Federation's board of directors. In that 
     role Lincoln has been involved in numerous immigration, 
     trade, and environmental policy issues.
       Lincoln ``has played a key role in improving the financial 
     well-being and quality of

[[Page E2121]]

     life for New York farmers,'' stated American Farm Bureau 
     Federation President Bob Stallman. New York State Agriculture 
     Commissioner Patrick Hooker said Lincoln leaves ``a legacy on 
     agricultural policy that will remain for decades.''
       Prior to becoming president in 1994, Lincoln was state Farm 
     Bureau vice president for nine years and also served as the 
     county president for Ontario County Farm Bureau.
       Lincoln owns and operates Linholm Dairy LLC with his wife, 
     Anne, and their children, Mike Lincoln and Julie Pellett.

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