[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 19 (Monday, January 29, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S547]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Tribute to Mary Kay Thatcher

  Mr. MORAN. Mr. President, I want to take a moment this evening to 
congratulate one of the most effective advocates for American 
agriculture in our Nation's Capital.
  We are often helped by those who have lots of knowledge. In the 
coming days, Mary Kay Thatcher will be retiring from the American Farm 
Bureau, where she is widely recognized as one of the most knowledgeable 
experts on farm policy, conservation, crop insurance, ag data, and so 
many other issues that affect farmers and ranchers and rural America. 
Mary Kay represents the best of Washington, DC. She is smart, 
passionate, and authentic. Again, we often need help from those who 
have expertise to help us make the right decisions, and she is 
absolutely one of those people.
  A great thing about Mary Kay Thatcher is that she hasn't forgotten 
her rural roots. It is evidenced by her clear convictions and steadfast 
support for American farmers and ranchers. Too many people come to the 
beltway and they forget why they are here--but not Mary Kay. Throughout 
her career of more than 30 years, she has never lost sight of what 
ought to be the mission of each of ours--to use our positions, our 
talents, and our abilities to help others. For Mary Kay Thatcher, her 
career has been all about helping America's farmers and ranchers, 
standing up for the food and fiber producers of our Nation. Let me tell 
you that she is one of the best at it.
  Not only is Mary Kay one of the most articulate ag lobbyists I know, 
she is one of the most articulate people I know. Her ability to break 
down an issue and make it understandable for everyone--for Senators and 
our staffs, including those who don't have ag backgrounds--makes her 
one of the most effective advocates for agriculture. There are fewer 
and fewer people in the U.S. Senate and Congress who understand 
agriculture or who come from farming backgrounds, and that ability to 
connect with them is so important.
  I have always appreciated the advice and counsel that Mary Kay has 
provided me when working on the farm bill or other pieces of ag 
legislation. I have also always noticed and appreciated how much time 
she has spent in educating staff, including those in my office. I 
believe a big part of Mary Kay's legacy will be the generations of 
young people who will be better prepared to continue the fight for 
American agriculture because Mary Kay has taken the time and made the 
effort to mentor and to teach them.
  Her passion for agriculture comes naturally. She grew up on an Iowa 
farm and continues to own and manage that farm today, and that helps 
guide her work here in the Nation's Capital. She has worked at the 
American Farm Bureau for over 30 years, but in ag circles, it is not 
necessarily the number of years that people talk about but the number 
of farm bills. They refer to how many farm bills a person has survived. 
By my count, Mary Kay has been part of writing at least seven farm 
bills in addition to many other key pieces of ag legislation.
  I know I am adding my voice to lots of others who will talk about how 
great of a person she is and what an advocate she is, but I do want to 
add my accolades because they are so well-deserved.
  I thank Mary Kay Thatcher for all of her work on behalf of American 
agriculture, including the Kansas Farm Bureau and its members, and on 
behalf of all of agriculture in our State. Her efforts have benefited 
Kansas and improved our country. She will be missed at the American 
Farm Bureau, but I know she will find other ways to advocate for 
agriculture. I hope that for many years to come, we will remain friends 
and work together on behalf of American farmers and ranchers.
  Congratulations and best wishes. Thank you--said with great respect 
and with gratitude.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Oklahoma.