[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 4 (Wednesday, January 8, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  CONGRATULATIONS TO TED LEIPPRANDT ON HIS RECEIPT OF THE LEADERS AND 
       LEGENDS AWARD GIVEN BY MICHIGAN AGRI-BUSINESS ASSOCIATION

                                  _____
                                 

                         HON. CANDICE S. MILLER

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 8, 2014

  Mrs. MILLER of Michigan. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to deliver a 
few words honoring Ted Leipprandt who is being awarded the Leaders and 
Legends Award given by Michigan Agri-Business Association. This 
prestigious award is given annually to an individual who has been a 
leader in Michigan's agricultural community and honors a lifetime 
dedication to making a positive difference advancing the agriculture 
industry in the state.
  Born to Theo and Lillian Leipprandt, Ted was the youngest of four 
children and grew up in the 1930s and 1940s on a 160 acre farm that was 
truly diverse. The family grew grain seeds, corn, sugar beets, while 
also raising cows, pigs and laying hens. As a teen, Ted helped his 
family around the farm staying active in the community by participating 
in organizations such as 4-H and Future Farmers of America until he 
went off to college at Michigan State University where he studied 
animal husbandry, and crop and soil sciences.
  Once graduated from college, Ted volunteered to serve his country in 
the United States Army. While stationed at Fort Benning, he met his 
lovely wife Margaret, who together, would eventually raise three sons 
and one daughter: Jeff, Joel, Jim and Jill, and enjoy the company of 15 
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
  After his time spent serving this nation, Ted took a job with the 
Macomb County Cooperative Extension Service where he worked at the soil 
testing laboratory before taking up his long career at the Cooperative 
Elevator in Pigeon, Michigan.
  Throughout his career at the Co-op Elevator, Ted helped set up the 
first soil testing program for the members of the community working 
closely with local farmers on soil sampling that would eventually be 
used to make fertilizer recommendations.
  As time grew, Ted gained the area farmers confidence and trust 
building strong relationships which would later lead to taking on more 
responsibilities in the role of manager of the feed and fertilizer 
division and participating in the Board of Directors meetings at Co-op 
Elevator.
  His reputation would later gain him a seat as General Manager and CEO 
of the Pigeon Co-op Elevator in 1974.
  Over the next 13 years, Ted helped Co-op Elevator flourish by 
investing in major projects to increase grain storage as well as 
overseeing the organization's fertilizer blending facility, which at 
the time, was ``state of the art'' and is still used today.
  His innovative thinking helped continue the Co-op Elevator's growth 
constantly expanding the outreach and impact on Michigan's agriculture 
in the Thumb where I represent.
  Through his life, Ted believed that being active in the community 
where you live and work was essential. With that in mind, Ted stayed 
active in his local church, was a member of the Pigeon Rotary Club and 
has been very supportive of the 4-H and F.F.A. He was a member to 
multiple organizations which includes sitting on Michigan Bean Shippers 
Board, the Michigan Bean Commission and Michigan Grain and Agri-Dealers 
Association just to name a few.
  Even after his retirement, Ted continued to serve the interest of 
agriculture in the Thumb while on the Board of Directors of DTE Energy 
and East Central Farm Credit Services.
  Looking back at Ted's story is something to be admired and the 
community thanks him for all his hard work and dedication he has put in 
over the years to support not the just the agriculture industry but his 
community has a whole.
  I am honored to represent Ted who is constituent of mine and 
congratulate him on this well deserved ``Leaders and Legends Award.''
  You truly deserve it.

                          ____________________