[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 39 (Wednesday, March 17, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S1667]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO THEODORE ELDRIDGE

 Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I congratulate Theodore 
Eldridge of Moro for receiving the John Gammon Award for his dedication 
and service to the Arkansas agriculture industry. The award is 
presented each year by the Arkansas office of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture's Farm Service Agency.
  Theodore represents the best of our Arkansas values: hard work, 
dedication, and perseverance. He currently serves as the coordinator of 
the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's 52-Acre Demonstration Farm. 
He also works part-time for the UAPB Demonstration Outreach Center in 
Marianna and the East Arkansas Enterprise Community.
  I have had the privilege of working closely with Theodore on several 
projects for the USDA Rural Development Program, where he served as 
district director in Forrest City, and later as the director of water 
and wastewater programs.
  This past December, I was pleased to announce his appointment to 
serve on the Arkansas Farm Service Agency State Committee. He has since 
been elected chairman by the committee and has shown exemplary 
leadership for our State's farmers and ranchers as he ensures our 
producers have the tools in place to produce a safe and affordable food 
supply. Theodore plays a vital role in our State's rural communities as 
he works to facilitate programs that will spur local economic 
development. He also oversees and informs local producers about USDA 
programs.
  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 Arkansas 
agriculture community. 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.
  I salute Theodore and the entire Arkansans agriculture community for 
their hard work and dedication.

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