[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 33 (Tuesday, March 9, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO KEVIN WATTS

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I congratulate Kevin Watts 
of McGehee, AR, for being named Ginner of the Year by the Southern 
Cotton Ginners Association. Kevin is an excellent example of Arkansas's 
agriculture tradition. After working with his father in a cotton gin, 
Kevin knew by the time he graduated from high school what he wanted to 
do with the rest of his life.
  As a seventh-generation Arkansan and farmer's daughter, and as 
chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I understand firsthand 
and appreciate the hard work and contributions of our farm families. 
Agriculture is the backbone of Arkansas's economy, creating more than 
270,000 jobs in the State and providing $9.1 billion in wages and 
salaries. In total, agriculture contributes roughly $15.9 billion to 
the Arkansas economy each year.
  Our farm families are critical to our Nation's economic stability. 
Agriculture is one of the leading U.S. industries in exports, with a 
trade surplus of $23 billion in fiscal year 2009. We must work to 
continue the farm family tradition, so families are able to maintain 
their livelihoods and continue to help provide the safe, abundant, and 
affordable food supply that feeds our own country and the world and 
that is essential to our own economic stability.
  I salute Kevin and all Arkansas farm families for their hard work and 
dedication.

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