[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10055-S10056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CECIL EYESTONE

 Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, today I recognize a great Kansan 
for his long service to the youth of the State of Kansas.
  ``Teaching by example,'' was Cecil Eyestone's philosophy in his 31-
year Kansas 4-H career. He served 12 years as a Montgomery County club 
agent and 19 years as a State 4-H specialist. He was a pioneer for 
leadership opportunities for teens. Cecil initiated the first junior 
leaders club for the teens in Montgomery County. His determined 
attitude for developing teen leaders through hands-on experiences 
resulted in 80 percent of Kansas counties adopting the concept. A State 
Junior Leadership Camp was held in 1959 at Rock Springs 4-H Center that 
continued for 15 years with annual participation of 200-300 youth. 
Cecil and his brother Merle have sponsored a 4-H leadership scholarship 
for 24 years.
  Cecil was Collegiate 4-H Club adviser for 16 years, reaching over 
4,000 students. He organized eight collegiate clubs at other Kansas 
universities and colleges. Cecil guided the animal science 4-H program 
and helped develop horse, dog and rabbit projects. He created the Horse 
Panorama to teach horse care and judging.

[[Page S10056]]

  Retired in 1977, Cecil volunteers for the Governor's Mental Health 
Advisory, National Active and Retired Federal Employees, Sertoma, Riley 
County Flint Hills AMI, Methodist's Men and First United Methodist 
Church, Flint Hills Veterans Coalition and KSU WWII Veterans Memorial. 
He stays busy with his family, but finds time to judge 4 to 10 county 
fairs annually.
  Last year, Cecil was inducted into the National 4-H Hall of Fame. 
This Sunday, October 4, 2009, Cecil will be honored at a special 
reunion of the 4-Hers he mentored during his time as the Montgomery 
County 4-H agent. During this reunion, the first two recipients of a 
scholarship named in Cecil's honor will be announced. These 
scholarships were made possible by donations from the 1946-1957 
Montgomery County 4-H alumni.
  As a former 4-H member myself during Cecil's tenure as the State 4-H 
specialist, it is an honor for me to speak on behalf of the thousands 
of Kansas 4-Hers who were touched by Cecil's commitment to the Kansas 
4-H program. It is a privilege for me to honor this fine Kansan for his 
leadership and service and to join in congratulating him on his 
induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame.

                          ____________________