[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 52 (Thursday, March 29, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S2238]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO JAMES McCORMICK

    Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, last week, an extraordinary 
West Virginian, James McCormick, received a national award, Citizen 
Service Before Self Honors, from the Congressional Medal of Honor 
Foundation. This nonprofit is dedicated to education and awareness 
about the Congressional Medal of Honor. James McCormick was recognized 
by this distinguished group for his extraordinary commitment to his 
fellow veterans. Mr. McCormick returned from service and rather than 
thinking of just himself, he realized that his fellow veterans needed 
to work and they needed housing.
  His deep understanding of the needs of returning veterans led to the 
creation of his nonprofit, Raising Cane Farms. The vision is simple but 
important. Raising Cane Farms is an organic, environmentally friendly 
farm located in Mason County, WV, that grows and market bamboo for 
multiple uses, including sales to manufacturers of bamboo products, 
produce sellers, restaurants, and landscapers. But beyond that, the 
farm will also serve as an educational facility and place to employ 
veterans and provide quality jobs in an outdoors, veteran-friendly 
environment using both the outdoors and fellowship with other veterans 
to help them recover from combat disabilities.
  Raising Cane Farms has been helped by dedicated partners including 
the Farmer Veteran's Coalition, FVC, that provided support to clear the 
land, build roads, establish a watering system, and build a greenhouse. 
Other partners include Work Vessels for Veterans, which helped with 
funding for a trailer, marketing and Web development support, and 
important introductions to other veteran farmers including Veteran 
Farm's pioneer Adam Burke.
  As the longest serving member of the Senate Veterans' Affairs 
Committee, I am deeply moved by the courage of our veterans and their 
ongoing service to our country and their colleagues. James McCormick is 
such an inspiration.

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