[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 109 (Thursday, July 19, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5205]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      TRIBUTE TO EDWARD J. HAMILL

 Mrs. McCASKILL. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to 
Edward J. ``Eddie'' Hamill, who is retiring on July 31, 2012 after more 
than three decades of exemplary service to the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture Farm Service Agency. On July 17, the Missouri Farm Service 
Agency, FSA, held a reception for Eddie recognizing his service. Today, 
I would like to stand to honor his contributions to agriculture and the 
people of Missouri.
  Eddie is a lifelong Missourian who has served the people of Missouri 
through his work at the Farm Service Agency since 1979. In addition to 
his dedicated work at the Farm Service Agency, Eddie's passion for 
public service is evident in his willingness to serve beyond his normal 
workload. He is active in the Perry Lion's Club, Mark Twain Young 
Farmers, Missouri Cattlemen's Association, Missouri Farmer's Union, and 
serves as a member of the Ralls County Health Department Board of 
Directors. On top of all this, Eddie operates a family farm with 1,200 
acres of cropland and pasture for a cow-calf herd.
  In July 2009, Eddie was appointed by President Obama to serve as the 
State Executive Director of FSA, responsible for overseeing the 
delivery of the income support, disaster assistance, conservation and 
farm loan programs. With more than 100,000 farms, Missouri agriculture 
employs nearly 250,000 people. Immensely productive and highly diverse, 
it is the backbone of Missouri's economy. The task of ensuring that 
Missouri's farmers and ranchers have the tools they need to provide for 
our families and communities is vital.
  During his tenure as Missouri FSA Director, Eddie has worked 
tirelessly to ensure the agency is doing everything it can to properly 
serve our State. With nearly 100 offices in counties throughout the 
State, the local Farm Service Agency office is where Missouri farmers 
turn for assistance. A husband, father of four, and a farmer himself, 
Eddie believes in improving economic stability for Missouri farmers one 
family at a time. From the letters that have come in to my office from 
Missourians expressing the importance they place on their local Farm 
Service Agency office, the value of his approach and dedication is 
clear.
  Perhaps nowhere has the value of Eddie's leadership been clearer than 
in response to the devastating natural disasters Missouri agriculture 
has faced. From the devastating flooding we experienced along the 
Missouri River, to the catastrophe at Birds Point, to this year's 
crippling drought conditions, Eddie and the entire Missouri Farm 
Service Agency staff have answered every call to help.
  I am happy today to pay tribute to Eddie Hamill. He stands out 
amongst public servants, and he has my thanks and surely that of all 
Missourians for his service to our State. I wish congratulations and 
good luck to him and his entire family.

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