[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 155 (Wednesday, December 1, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2023]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING CHARLIE KRUSE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, December 1, 2010

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Charlie 
Kruse, President of the Missouri Farm Bureau, who is retiring after 18 
years of service.
  Charlie is a proud native of Stoddard County where he and his wife 
own and operate a grain farm. He is a graduate of Arkansas State 
University and the University of Missouri, where he earned his master 
of science in agronomy in 1973.
  Recognizing Charlie's exceptional talent and commitment to 
agriculture, Missouri Governor John Ashcroft appointed him director of 
the Missouri Department of Agriculture in 1985. In 1990, Kruse served 
on President George Bush's Council on Rural America, the only 
Missourian named to the Council. He also served on U.S. Trade 
Representative Carla Hills' Intergovernmental Advisory Committee and on 
USDA's Federal Grain Inspection Service Advisory Committee. In 1991, 
Kruse accepted the position of executive vice president of the North 
American Equipment Dealers Association, and resigned that position in 
August 1992 to seek the presidency of Missouri Farm Bureau.
  In his 18 years as president of the Missouri Farm Bureau, Kruse has 
helped countless Missouri farmers who have reaped the benefits of his 
advocacy. The Missouri Farm Bureau is losing a capable and experienced 
leader whose tireless efforts have served to benefit all of our State's 
citizens, including me. During his tenure, Missouri Farm Bureau has 
seen tremendous growth in membership from 77,000 to over 108,000 farm 
families.
  The accomplishments during Charlie Kruse's career are far too 
numerous to list. We are thankful for his efforts not only at the local 
and State levels but also the Federal level. From his testimony before 
Congress to his many advisory positions at USDA and involvement with 
the most recent farm bill, Charlie's unwavering support for sound and 
responsible agricultural policy serves as a model to everyone in the 
industry.
  Charlie has so much to be proud of beyond his accomplishments in the 
policy arena. Missouri cannot thank him enough for his service in the 
Missouri National Guard and to the University of Missouri. I would like 
to take this opportunity to express my personal gratitude for all that 
he has given.
  As he returns home to Stoddard County, Charlie can do so with great 
pride, knowing that in the span of his career he has accomplished so 
much and helped so many. While he will be missed, I wish him the very 
best that retirement has to offer.
  In closing, Madam Speaker, I ask all my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating Charlie Kruse for his service to the State of Missouri 
and to American agriculture.

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