[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 185 (Monday, November 26, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7078-S7079]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CENTENNIAL OF THE KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, it is my pleasure today to recognize 
one of the greatest voices for Kentucky's agricultural communities, the 
Kentucky Farm Bureau, KFB, as it prepares to commemorate its centennial 
year. With a mission to identify the challenges facing farmers, to 
improve farm income, and to enhance the quality of life for growers, 
processors, and all of us who enjoy the fruits of their labors, the KFB 
has been a force for good throughout my home State. Since its 
establishment almost 100 years ago, the KFB has done all of this and 
more. I am so proud to have this opportunity to congratulate the men 
and women of the KFB on this impressive milestone.
  In 1919, a small group of Kentucky farmers gathered in Louisville to 
form an organization to serve as the ``Voice of Kentucky Agriculture.'' 
Beginning as a member-based and member-driven organization, the KFB has 
proudly kept to its founding vision, striving each day to uphold that 
same goal.
  In the last 100 years, the KFB has grown beyond anything its founders 
could have imagined. With nearly 500,000 members, the organization 
maintains a presence in all 120 counties in the Commonwealth. The KFB 
has developed many service programs to benefit its members and other 
parts of the agricultural community. These services include providing 
crop insurance products, Young Farmers development, public affairs 
representation, and estate planning assistance, just to name a few. As 
it celebrates its centennial year, the KFB can also be proud of being 
one of the largest State Farm Bureaus throughout the entire Nation.
  Since my first day serving in the U.S. Senate, I have had the 
opportunity to be Kentucky's champion on the Senate Agriculture 
Committee. Every step of the way, the KFB has helped guide my work on 
that committee on behalf of my State's farm families. Through several 
agricultural bills--and countless fly-ins, the KFB has proved to be a 
partner I can rely upon to support Kentucky farmers. We have 
accomplished a great deal, and I look forward to many more projects we 
can work on together.
  One particular event I look forward to each year is the KFB's annual 
country ham breakfast during the Kentucky State Fair. I make it a point 
to attend every year possible so I can not only have the opportunity to 
enjoy the delicious food, but also to spend quality time with the many 
friends of Kentucky agriculture I have gotten to know over the years. 
The tradition began in 1964 as a way to showcase our agricultural 
products during the Kentucky State Fair, and it has grown into one of 
the Nation's premier agricultural events. Each year, thousands of 
Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth gather to enjoy some of the 
best locally sourced food our State's farmers have to offer. The 
morning culminates in a charity auction of the blue-ribbon country ham. 
This year, the winning bid was a record-breaking $2.8 million to be 
donated to Kentucky charities. While the ham breakfast may be among its 
best-known public events, it is just one example of the KFB's many 
accomplishments.
  Throughout 2019, I hear the KFB plans to celebrate its century of 
successes on behalf of Kentucky's farmers. I would like to recognize 
the contributions of the organization's leadership, in particular Mark 
Haney and his executive team. They are wonderful representatives of the 
KFB and proud advocates for farmers. With their guidance, the KFB has a 
bright future ahead.
  I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in the recognition of the KFB, 
its members, and all who have benefited from its century of service to 
Kentucky. The organization's unmatched dedication to farmers and 
commitment to agricultural advancement continues

[[Page S7079]]

to serve the KFB's mission well. I look forward to its continued 
successes, and I am grateful for the chance to publicly join the KFB in 
celebrating this anniversary and to offer my thanks for everything it 
does to support farm families in the Commonwealth.

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