[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S5834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO KEITH OLSEN

 Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, today I recognize Keith Olsen for 
the dedicated leadership he has provided for Nebraska agriculture.
  Through his involvement in various State and national organizations, 
Keith has brought a renewed focus on supporting youth in agriculture. 
He has taken an active role in ensuring that the views of farmers and 
ranchers are communicated to policymakers in both Lincoln and 
Washington, DC.
  Keith has been integral in the development of a vision for the 
University of Nebraska, the State's land-grant university. And, he has 
taken a leadership role in educating the public about modern 
agriculture practices.
  Internationally, Keith has represented Nebraska farmers on trade 
missions around the world. He has promoted our food and agriculture 
exports in a number of countries, including Japan, Russia, Turkey, and 
Brazil.
  Keith Olsen was born in Imperial, NE and was raised on the family 
farm near Venango. In high school, Keith was involved in FFA, and his 
children have been involved in 4-H and FFA. He served as a 4-H leader 
for 30 years. He graduated from Grant High School and the University of 
Nebraska at Lincoln, where he majored in agricultural economics.
  After college, Keith returned to Perkins County to farm with his 
father. He married his wife Doris in 1969, and, at the age of 24, Keith 
and Doris took over the family farm. The Olsens have three sons--Craig, 
Jeff and Curtis. They are also the proud grandparents of seven. Now in 
its fourth generation, the Olsen farm is a no-till, dryland operation 
raising certified seed wheat, wheat, dry peas, and corn.
  Keith has served on the Nebraska Farm Bureau Board of Directors since 
1992 and was elected to the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of 
Directors in 2004. He was elected as first vice president of the 
Nebraska Farm Bureau Board in 1997 and has served as president since 
2002.
  Keith has been widely recognized for his support of agriculture, 
including youth and young farmers and ranchers. He received the 2010 
Agricultural Youth Institute Award of Merit, the 2011 Nebraska FFA 
Honorary State FFA degree, and in 2004, he was elected to the Nebraska 
Hall of Agriculture Achievement.
  As great of an ambassador as Keith has been for Nebraska agriculture, 
he is an even better man. His principled approach coupled with his 
kindness and compassion for others has earned him the respect of many--
including me. I congratulate Keith on completing a very successful 
tenure as Nebraska Farm Bureau president and wish him and his family 
the very best.

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