[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 114 (Monday, July 30, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S5657]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO REX E. KIRKSEY

 Mr. UDALL of New Mexico. Madam President, I, on behalf of my 
colleague Senator Bingaman and myself, wish to recognize Rex E. Kirksey 
on the occasion of his retirement, following a distinguished career 
serving the agricultural community in our home State of New Mexico and 
elsewhere.
  Mr. Kirksey has dedicated 32 years of his life working for New Mexico 
State University to improve agricultural outreach and to facilitate 
vital research. As the Superintendent of the NMSU Agricultural Science 
Center in Tucumcari, NM, Mr. Kirksey oversaw research programs focusing 
on developing forage and grazing systems for irrigated lands in New 
Mexico and the western United States.
  In 2003, he took on additional responsibilities as superintendent of 
the Agricultural Science Center in Clovis, NM. Under his leadership, 
that institution emerged as the State's leading off-campus center with 
nationally and internationally recognized programs in agronomy, dairy 
management, peanut breeding, and crop stress physiology.
  During his tenure at New Mexico State University, Mr. Kirksey 
authored many professional publications, including peer reviewed 
journal articles, proceedings papers, research reports and bulletins, 
progress reports and published abstracts, and an extensive range of 
business reports and correspondence. He has also given numerous 
presentations to industry and peer groups.
  In addition to his work domestically, Mr. Kirksey has been involved 
with the Afghanistan Water, Agriculture, and Technology Transfer, 
AWATT, project--a partnership with USAID and New Mexico State 
University. This project aims to improve the community and farm-level 
management of the supply and demand of irrigation water resources for 
increased agricultural productivity and food security in Afghanistan. 
He also has worked with the Botswana Sustainable Agriculture 
Initiative, an international consortium with a goal to develop an 
integrated, sustainable agricultural system. The Botswana Initiative 
will assist both small and large farms to employ conservation 
agriculture practices to increase fresh water availability, grow more 
nutritious food, build agricultural infrastructure, create more 
agricultural jobs, and stimulate enterprise creation in rural areas.
  Mr. Kirksey's leadership and expertise has made a difference in the 
lives of so many people in our Nation, as well as other parts of the 
world. Senator Bingaman and I thank Mr. Kirksey for his commitment and 
dedication to the people of New Mexico and to our agricultural 
communities. We would also like to thank his wife Cyndie and their 
three children for always supporting Rex in his endeavors. Thanks to 
his work and the work of our land grant institutions, farmers and 
ranchers across the country have access to the resources they need to 
help ensure our country's future competitiveness in an increasingly 
global economy.
  We wish Mr. Kirksey continued success, and a most happy 
retirement.

                          ____________________