[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 161 (Thursday, December 13, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Page S8038]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DON JACKSON

 Mr. CHAMBLISS. Today I wish to commend the career of a man who 
has devoted his entire life to agriculture. After more than 35 years 
serving in various leadership capacities in the U.S. poultry and 
agricultural industries, Dr. Don Jackson, president and chief executive 
officer of JBS USA, is retiring.
  Don's agricultural career arguably began in the early 1950s on his 
father's ranch in Phoenix, AZ. Don, the fifth out of seven children, 
was one heck of a high school football athlete--securing a game-
clinching interception in the State semifinal game and helping to lead 
his team to the State championship in his senior year.
  Don studied as an undergraduate at Arizona State University and then 
moved to Colorado State University, where he graduated in 1978 with a 
master's degree and Ph.D. in animal science.
  Don officially began his career in agriculture as a nutritionist in 
the feed and poultry division of Central Soya. When the company's 
poultry division was sold to Seaboard, Don remained with the 
organization, serving in several operational and executive roles. From 
1996 to 2000, Don served as Seaboard's chief executive officer.
  In 2000, ConAgra acquired Seaboard's poultry division and Don moved 
to Foster Farms, where he served as president for 8 years. In late 
2008, Pilgrim's Pride Corporation called on Don to serve as chief 
executive officer and lead the company out of bankruptcy.
  In December 2009, Don helped successfully negotiate the sale of a 
controlling interest in Pilgrim's Pride to JBS USA, and a short year 
later, Don was selected as president and chief executive officer of JBS 
USA, a leading processor of U.S. beef, pork, poultry, and lamb and 
Australian beef and lamb.
  Don has been married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa, for 41 
years, and they are the proud parents of six children who have given 
them seven beautiful grandchildren. For the past 28 years, Don has 
called Athens and Atlanta, GA, home, and he passionately roots for the 
Atlanta Braves and the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
  I commend Don for his years of service and congratulate him on an 
incredibly successful career. American agriculture has benefitted from 
his passion, energy, wisdom, and humor, and I am proud to call him a 
Georgian. We wish Don well as he embarks on his well-deserved 
retirement.

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