[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5954-S5955]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  REMEMBERING DR. RAYMOND C. BUSHLAND

 Mr. ROUNDS. Mr. President, today I wish to commemorate the 
life and work of Dr. Raymond C. Bushland, a native of South Dakota.
  Dr. Bushland, along with his colleague Edward F. Knipling of Texas, 
made tremendous scientific advancements in eradicating and suppressing 
the threat posed by pests to the livestock and crops that contribute to 
the world's food supply. Dr. Bushland will be posthumously honored with 
the Golden Goose Award for his and Dr. Knipling's research on the 
screwworm fly. The Golden Goose Award recognizes scientists who have 
made significant contributions to society through unique federally 
funded projects.
  Bushland was raised in Clearlake, SD, and graduated from South Dakota 
State University in 1932 with degrees in entomology and zoology. After 
earning his masters in 1934, he began working at a laboratory for the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture in Dallas, TX, where he met Dr. 
Knipling. The two shared a fascination with the screwworm fly, a 
rampant and aggressive pest that primarily targeted cattle. The 
screwworm fly could decimate herds in a matter of weeks and was nearly 
impossible to prevent.
  Through their research, Bushland and Knipling hypothesized that 
scientists could combat the pest by controlling its population, an 
approach that was met with great skepticism. Regardless, Bushland 
successfully devised the ``sterile insect technique,'' a revolutionary 
method in controlling

[[Page S5955]]

pest populations. The hypothesis was soon confirmed.
  By preventing regular reproduction, they began seeing results 
immediately, and in 1982, the screwworm fly was declared completely 
eradicated in the U.S. Since this breakthrough, the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture has partnered with countries throughout the Western 
Hemisphere to continue eradicating screwworm flies and preventing 
reinfestation.
  The technique pioneered by Bushland and Knipling saved the cattle 
industry an estimated $20 billion since its implementation and has been 
applied to various insect species since. Today, scientists are using 
the same technique to combat the spread of the Zika virus. This feat is 
lauded as one of the most important developments in pest control, as 
well as one of the first peaceful uses of nuclear radiation.
  Bushland's work represents a pinnacle of scientific achievement that 
helped pave a new era of food security and public health. His 
curiosity, perseverance, and ingenuity continue to be a source of 
inspiration for students in South Dakota and across the country. For 
his commitment to science, education, and society, we thank 
him.

                          ____________________