[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 24, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO MARK DUFFIN

 Mr. CRAPO. Madam President, along with my colleagues Senator 
James Risch, Representative Mike Simpson, and Representative Russ 
Fulcher, I congratulate Mark Duffin on his retirement from the Idaho 
Sugarbeet Growers Association, after serving as the association's 
executive director for the past more than 28 years.
  We have greatly valued Mark's insight and partnership on agricultural 
and related issues over the years. Mark has not only been an Idaho 
agricultural leader, but also a national agricultural leader, given the 
high profile of the sugarbeet industry and the crucial role Idaho plays 
in supplying the market. Mark has been a stalwart advocate for Idaho's 
sugarbeet growers and provided essential guidance on Federal policy 
matters impacting the industry, particularly trade, transportation and 
labor. From sharing the growers' perspective on multiple farm bill 
reauthorizations, international trade agreement negotiations, natural 
resource management, and much more. Mark has provided helpful 
perspective on Federal policy over the years. Throughout, his 
judicious, considerate, and experienced approach has been instrumental.
  His understanding of the challenges of agricultural production and 
appreciation for those he represents is apparent in his thoughtful 
advocacy. Mark grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho and farmed with 
his brother before leading the association. The majority of this Idaho 
congressional delegation had the honor of serving with him in the Idaho 
State Legislature, as Mark served in the legislature from 1984-1990. 
Mark also served as the Power County Farm Bureau president, president 
of Food Producers of Idaho, and president of the University of Idaho 
College of Agriculture's Agricultural Consulting Council.
  We thank Mark for his assistance on behalf of Idahoans and the 
producers he has represented and wish him well on his retirement. We 
hope Mark enjoys his retirement, but should he find himself with some 
spare time, he can always find work driving trucks for his friends and 
neighbors in the Idaho sugarbeet industry.

                          ____________________