[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 21, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E967]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING BAKER COUNTY COMMISSIONER TIM KERNS FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED 
                           SERVICE TO OREGON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2016

  Mr. WALDEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize my good friend 
Commissioner Tim Kerns for his many years of dedicated public service 
in Baker County. Tim is set to retire at the end of his term after 
serving 15 years as Baker County Commissioner, and I would like to pay 
tribute to his leadership for the people of Baker County.
  Born in Baker City, Tim was raised with an appreciation for 
agriculture on his family farm which led him to attend Oregon State 
University to pursue a degree in Agricultural Engineering at a notable 
pace, completing 206 credit hours in just four years. But probably the 
best part of his time at Oregon State was meeting Jan--his wife of 52 
years. Upon completing their degrees, Tim and Jan returned to ranching 
in Baker County.
  As his operation grew, so did Tim's desire to serve his community. 
His ability to provide innovative solutions to the problems that Baker 
County faced proved invaluable in a number of leadership roles, 
including serving on the school district budget board, as president of 
both the Baker County Livestock Growers and Farm Bureau, and as 
Regional Vice President of the Oregon Cattleman's Association.
  Tim's familiarity with the agricultural industry and community 
leadership experience next led him to become a major figure in the 
national farm lending system. Between 1975 and 1994 he was a board 
member of a number of farm lenders, including the Baker Production 
Credit Association, Spokane Farm Credit Services, and Inter State 
Production Credit Association. Following success in those roles, he was 
appointed to a three year term as Director of the national Federal Farm 
Credit Funding Corporation. After completing his dual term with the Ag 
America Farm Credit Bank and the Farm Credit Funding Corporation, Tim 
was appointed to fill a vacant seat with the county commission, a seat 
which he has held for the past 15 years.
  With federal lands making up more than 51% of Baker County, plenty of 
hurdles exist in the path to economic growth. Despite these hurdles, I 
know I can count on Tim's work ethic and knowledge of Baker County to 
help work through these issues and make sure that the needs of the 
local communities will not be ignored by the federal government. 
Whether it was stopping the EPA from regulating a local cement plant 
out of existence and killing hundreds of jobs, or some of the ongoing 
problems such as the red tape cutting off Baker County miners from 
being a part of a rich local mining history, or attempts to limit local 
access to national forests, I knew I could count on Tim to provide 
valuable input as we craft solutions.
  As Tim begins his transition into retirement, I know he and Jan will 
look forward to more time with their two sons and three grandchildren, 
as well as plenty of time on the ranch and volunteering in various 
Baker County activities.
  Mr. Speaker and my colleagues, please join me in recognizing and 
thanking my good friend, Commissioner Tim Kerns for his many years of 
leadership and service to Baker County.

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