[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 179 (Tuesday, November 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1514]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          RECOGNIZING RICHARD GATES OF WHITE COUNTY, ILLINOIS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN SHIMKUS

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 13, 2018

  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Richard Gates, an 
exemplary resident of White County, Illinois, where Mr. Gates has 
diligently managed his 100-acre farming operation, Richard Gates Farm, 
for over fifty years.
  Throughout his career, Mr. Gates was not only a hard-working farmer, 
but also a dedicated public servant during his tenure with the U.S. 
Postal Service.
  Mr. Gates has dedicated his life to agriculture by working tirelessly 
through dozens of long harvest seasons, allowing him to support his 
three children and nine grandchildren. He is also active in the 
agriculture community, having served as director for the Illinois 
Farmer Elected Committee for approximately 30 years, including 5 years 
as the State President. Additionally, he was a Director of the White 
County Farm Bureau from 2003 to 2015 and was a State Director of the 
Illinois Corn Growers from 2006 to 2016. Through the Illinois Corn 
Growers, he has had the opportunity to travel to countries like Ireland 
to study agricultural techniques and to Cuba to work toward ending the 
trade embargo. He has also traveled to Washington, D.C. several times 
as an advocate for agriculture.
  Mr. Gates, along with his wife Janice, have generously opened their 
fourth-generation family-owned farm to hundreds of guests--from 
kindergarten students to nursing home residents. Their hospitality is 
well known and appreciated in the community.
  Mr. Speaker, I join with the entire Gates family in celebrating his 
lifetime of accomplishments and recognizing his service to our nation. 
His outstanding legacy of hard work and compassion lives on in each 
member of his family and in all of those who are fortunate to know him.

                          ____________________