[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 173 (Thursday, October 26, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1437-E1438]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN HONOR OF LORRAINE MERRILL, COMMISSIONER OF THE NEW HAMPSHIRE 
                       DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANN M. KUSTER

                            of new hampshire

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 26, 2017

  Ms. KUSTER of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Lorraine Merrill as she retires after a decade of service as 
Commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Agriculture. The people 
of the Granite

[[Page E1438]]

State owe a tremendous debt to Commissioner Merrill. She has been an 
excellent steward of the Agriculture Department, guiding our state 
through the economic recession of 2008 and a devastating drought in 
2016--two of the greatest challenges our agriculture community has 
faced. She has been a tireless supporter and advocate for farmers, 
producers, and foresters in New Hampshire. From dairy and produce to 
ornamental horticulture and maple syrup, ours is an incredibly diverse 
state for agriculture and she has represented everyone so well.
  Lorraine's service as commissioner was only the latest in a 
remarkable career of service both to agriculture and her community. She 
has been a teacher, author, founding member of the New Hampshire 
Coalition for Sustaining Agriculture, director of the New England Dairy 
and Food Council, and chair of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm 
Service Agency State Committee. She continues to own and run a dairy 
farm with her family in Stratham, New Hampshire, where they have been 
honored by the American Farmland Trust for their leadership in 
conservation and environmental management best practices.
  On behalf of my constituents in New Hampshire's Second Congressional 
District, I thank Lorraine for her many years of dedicated service to 
the Granite State. Her achievements will continue to benefit our state 
and agricultural industry. I am honored to recognize and congratulate 
Lorraine on her retirement and wish her the best of luck in the years 
ahead.

                          ____________________