[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 137 (Tuesday, September 22, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S6892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      REMEMBERING BILLY ROSS BROWN

 Mr. COCHRAN. Mr. President, the agriculture community and the 
State of Mississippi suffered a great loss with the passing of Billy 
Ross Brown, Jr., on Saturday, September 12, 2015. He was a good friend, 
a neighbor, a highly respected member of his community, and a gentleman 
who dedicated much of his life to helping Mississippi farmers and 
improving the overall quality of life in rural America.
  A native of Oxford, MS, Billy Ross faithfully served the Farm Credit 
System and U.S. agricultural interests for over 36 years. In 1990 Billy 
Ross was appointed by President George H. W. Bush to serve on the Farm 
Credit Administration Board, and in 1993 he was designated Chairman and 
Chief Executive Officer of the Board by President Clinton, where he 
served with distinction until October of 1994. Following his tenure in 
Washington, Billy Ross returned to Mississippi and was nominated to the 
First South Farm Credit Board of Directors, a position in which he 
served until his retirement in March 2005.
  In addition to his contributions to the U.S. Farm Credit System, 
Billy Ross was active in various agriculture and conservation 
organizations. He served more than 20 years as area vice president for 
the Mississippi Association of Conservation Districts and more than 30 
years as a commissioner of the Lafayette County Soil and Water 
Conservation District. Billy Ross also served on the Mississippi Soil 
and Water Conservation Commission as well as the U.S. Forest Service 
National Advisory Committee. He received many awards for his work in 
agriculture, conservation, forestry and wildlife habitat.
  Billy Ross was a true gentleman who illustrated dedication to his 
community and country. I am grateful for his friendship and all he 
accomplished for American agriculture. My thoughts and prayers are with 
his wife Lynn and the entire Brown family during this sad time.

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