[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 178 (Monday, December 16, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                         TRIBUTE TO RAY GAESSER

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 16, 2013

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and congratulate 
Ray Gaesser of Corning, Iowa for being named the next President of the 
American Soybean Association.
  Founded in 1920, the American Soybean Association represents 
America's soybean farmers on issues vital to the soybean industry 
across the country and across the globe. The national, grassroots 
membership that comprise this great organization creates, promotes, and 
implements policies to improve the thriving soybean industry.
  Ray Gaesser has farmed since his father's passing when he was just 15 
years old. In 1979, two years after marrying his wife Elaine, the 
couple moved to the Corning area to begin a modest farming partnership. 
Today, the Gaessers farm nearly 6,000 acres of corn and soybeans and 
are an essential component of the Iowa farming community. As a member 
of the Iowa Soybean Association for nearly 30 years, Ray has won 
numerous awards while serving in several leadership roles. Mr. Gaesser 
served as President of the Iowa Soybean Association in 2007, was a 
member of Iowa's Products Advisory Committee from 2006 to 2011, and was 
awarded the Iowa Master Farmer Award in 2012.
  Mr. Speaker, Ray's selection as the next American Soybean Association 
President is the culmination of a lifelong commitment to farming and a 
testament to the world-class agriculture industry of our great state. 
It is an honor to represent Mr. Gaesser, his family, and all of the 
hardworking farmers of Iowa in the United States Congress and I invite 
my colleagues in the House to join me in thanking our nation's farmers, 
congratulating Ray on his outstanding efforts, and wishing him 
continued success on the job ahead. Thank you.

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