[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 187 (Thursday, November 21, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S6753]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO CHARLES HANAVAN

 Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, today I rise to recognize a great 
Coloradan, Charles Hanavan, who will be inducted into the 2020 Farm 
Credit Colorado Agriculture Hall of Fame. Charles has been a bedrock to 
the Colorado farming community and has been committed to upholding the 
legacy of family farming.
  Charles was a longtime leader within the Rocky Mountain Farmers 
Union, in which he served as president from 1968 to 1970. Following 
that, he spent the next 11 years as vice president. During his time, he 
called on all residents, smalltown businessmen, farmers, and ranchers 
in rural communities to work with one another in order to prosper. In a 
memorable speech, he stated: ``We must build and not destroy our rural 
towns, build and not eliminate our independent farmers and ranchers; we 
need and must have a coalition for survival.'' In 1991, he was granted 
honorary life membership and awarded Meritorious Service to the Rocky 
Mountain Farmers Union for his countless efforts to the organization 
and the community.
  Furthering his commitment to rural farming communities, Charles 
served with the National Association of Rural Rehabilitation Committee 
Board, which helped farmers establish themselves when banks would not 
offer them loans. Additionally, he served on the Colorado Highway 
Commission, the Colorado Farm Service Agency State Committee, as well 
as the Colorado Rural Rehabilitation Corporation. Through all of his 
roles, Charles has continued to seek innovative practices to improve 
agricultural operations in the state.
  Charles is married to Patsy, and the two are the proud parents of 12 
children, 33 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild. His father settled 
on a farm south of Arapahoe in 1919, and they still own and operate 
that farm today.
  Charles is a true example of what it means to be committed to family 
and community, and he is extremely deserving of this prestigious 
honor.

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