[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 111 (Thursday, July 16, 2015)]
[House]
[Pages H5241-H5242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING MARVIN ``BUTCH'' BADEN

  (Mr. CRAWFORD asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CRAWFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Marvin ``Butch'' 
Baden.
  Butch began his career in the U.S. rice industry in 1958 as an 
``office errand boy'' at Riceland Foods. He has served in many 
capacities since that time, including his current role as senior vice 
president of rice sales at Producers Rice Mill.

[[Page H5242]]

  During Butch's 37 years at Producers Rice Mill alone, he has marketed 
the equivalent of 1.3 billion bushels of rough rice, which translates 
to about 20 million metric tons of both milled and brown rice.
  In 1981, when U.S. rice acreage exploded from 2 million acres per 
year to just under 4 million acres, new market access for U.S. rice was 
crucial in supporting prices for U.S. rice farmers. Butch was one of 
the critical pioneers at the time who dramatically expanded the export 
demand for U.S. rice.
  Butch was directly involved in the opening of new export markets for 
U.S. rice in the Caribbean, Iran, Iraq, and Nigeria. Butch also 
expanded U.S. rice exports in Europe, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa.
  With nearly 50 percent of the U.S. rice production required to be 
exported, the fruits of Butch's efforts not only enhanced the returns 
of the farmers he worked for, but the new export demand for U.S. rice 
also benefited the market prices of all U.S. rice farmers. In all, 
Butch has logged nearly 9 million air miles on behalf of the U.S. rice 
industry.
  From humble beginnings as an office errand boy, Marvin ``Butch'' 
Baden, through hard work and perseverance, has earned and achieved the 
highest level of respect and appreciation within the U.S. rice 
industry.

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