[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 67 (Wednesday, April 25, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2432-S2433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING CLEAR SPRINGS FOODS, INC.

  Mr. RISCH. Mr. President, today, along with my colleague Senator Mike 
Crapo, I wish to recognize fellow Idahoan Larry Cope who retired from 
Clear Springs Foods, Inc., in Buhl, ID, in March of this year. Larry, 
who is president and CEO of the company, has had an exemplary career as 
a visionary and selfless leader at Clear Springs for the past 45 years. 
He deserves to retire.
  Idaho is very proud to be home to the headquarters of Clear Springs 
Foods, the world's largest producer of aquacultured rainbow trout, 
supplying restaurants and major supermarkets throughout the United 
States and propelling fish farming well beyond our borders. Larry would 
tell us it has taken a great team to lead this originally privately 
owned small business into the immensely successful 100-percent 
employee-owned operation it is

[[Page S2433]]

today, but we know it was with Larry's cutting-edge leadership and 
distinguished commitment to the business that it has grown into such a 
global industry.
  In 1973, with just $10,000--money critical to the company at the 
time--and a true spirit of recognizing the value of good workers, Larry 
created an employee retirement plan and stayed committed to the plan. 
Today the retirement fund is more than $60 million. Larry believes in 
taking care of his workers, many of whom go in every day to do 
difficult, routine work. Larry exhibits the type of leader every 
industry needs: focused while looking ahead, kind, fair, and employee 
friendly. No one has to tell him to serve in this manner; it is who he 
is, and he does it with a spring in his step.
  Mike and I have known Larry since the days Clear Springs had an 
annual production of 450,000 pounds of trout. Now, the company produces 
24 million pounds every year, making it an exemplary industry leader.
  Larry has been immensely valuable to the aquaculture industry 
worldwide. He has been in many leadership roles in business 
associations and boards, and he has won many awards. To name a few of 
his roles in the food industry and beyond, Larry has served as a board 
member and chairman of the National Fisheries Institute, the American 
Frozen Food Institute, the Idaho Association of Commerce & Industry, as 
well as St. Luke's Health System. In addition, he has served as a 
trustee at the College of Idaho, his alma mater.
  Another important character quality Larry exhibits is believing in 
serving his community. He is a pillar of support and encouragement to 
the region, having helped bring St. Luke's Hospital into the Magic 
Valley, as well as supporting the growth of the region's food 
production industry. As food production grows, so does the number of 
jobs and residual businesses. This is good growth for Idaho.
  Mike and I are proud to recognize Larry Cope, our good friend and a 
strong, courageous, and dedicated leader in Idaho. As I said a minute 
ago, Larry has done so much in business and community service for more 
than 45 years that he has earned his retirement.
  Larry, kick up your feet and go fishing.
  Thank you.

                          ____________________