[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1038-S1039]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO JIM BYRUM

 Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Mr. Jim 
Byrum's term of service as president of the Michigan Agri-Business 
Association, as well as his contributions to Michigan's agriculture 
industry as a whole.
  Jim was born and raised in Onondaga, MI, the fourth generation of his 
family to live on the family farm. He maintained his passion for 
agriculture by spending his career advocating for individuals in the 
industry and the industry itself, first as the executive director of 
the Michigan Bean Commission, then as the State executive director of 
the Michigan Farm Service Agency, and finally as the president of the 
Michigan Agri-Business Association.
  Founded in 1903, the Michigan Agri-Business Association supports 
Michigan agriculture through State and national education, promotion, 
and advocacy. During his 24 years as president, Mr. Byrum has guided 
the association and its members through expansive changes in 
environmental awareness, agricultural genetics, and economic factors. 
With his past experience and in

[[Page S1039]]

his role as head of the Michigan Agri-Business Association, Mr. Byrum 
solidified his reputation as a well-respected leader in agricultural 
policy and, through the association, represented and championed the 
needs of the over 500 member organizations from every agricultural 
sector in Michigan. He expertly communicated with lawmakers and 
stakeholders to ensure that Michigan remained a leader in agriculture, 
the State's second largest industry.
  It is my honor to congratulate my friend Jim Byrum for his decades of 
service to Michiganders, especially in his outgoing role as president 
of the Michigan Agri-Business Association. As the association reflects 
on the end of Mr. Byrum's term as President, I ask my colleagues to 
join me in congratulating him for his tireless dedication to Michigan's 
hard-working agricultural workers and all of us who depend on the goods 
and services they provide.

                          ____________________