[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 194 (Monday, November 16, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6720-S6721]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                         TRIBUTE TO BLAKE HURST

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, I rise today to congratulate Mr. 
Blake Hurst on an extraordinary career and well-deserved retirement. 
Blake has been an outstanding leader and voice for Missouri's 
agriculture industry and has played a vital role to elevate our State's 
national presence among the agricultural community when it comes

[[Page S6721]]

to advocacy on behalf of Missouri farmers and ranchers. Among his 
contributions to Missouri's agriculture industry, Blake has served with 
the Missouri Farm Bureau in a variety of capacities throughout his 
career, including as a district board member, vice president, and most 
recently as the organization's president for the last 10 years.
  Mr. Hurst was elected in 2010 as the 14th president of Missouri Farm 
Bureau and will cap off a 25-year career with the Missouri Farm Bureau 
upon his well-earned retirement. A devoted family man, Blake Hurst and 
his wife Julie have three children, Lee, Ann, and Ben. The family 
raises corn and soybeans on their family operation in northwest 
Missouri. Blake also operates a wholesale greenhouse business with his 
wife, Julie; daughter, Lee; and sons-in-law, Ryan Harms and Matt 
Clutter. The family raises flowers in two acres of greenhouses.
  In addition to his time consuming role at Missouri Farm Bureau, in 
his spare time, Blake also contributes as a freelance writer, with work 
appearing in the Wall Street Journal, The American, Weekly Standard, 
Wilson's Quarterly, Reader's Digest, Today's Farmer, and the Show Me 
magazine of Missouri Farm Bureau.
  Mr. Hurst has had a tremendous career with the Missouri Farm Bureau 
and is one of the most forward-thinking agriculture leaders in America. 
Over the years, I have truly valued the working partnership and, most 
importantly, the friendship, that I have fostered with Blake. Blake 
brings a certain passion and tenacity when it comes to agriculture, 
whether it is fighting against costly and burdensome regulations from 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, advocating for better 
management of our Nation's rivers and inland waterway system, defending 
the Renewable Fuels Standard, promoting healthcare services for rural 
America, or delivering assistance to producers that are impacted by 
natural disaster. He has demonstrated the ability to communicate big 
ideas and advocate for commonsense solutions that has been a big help 
to me and so many others across Missouri and the country. There is no 
one I would rather be in the trenches with than with Blake.
  Blake and Julie have done so much for our State and understand it 
incredibly well. I look forward to their continued advice, success, and 
friendship. It is with great pleasure I wish Blake continued success in 
retirement and well-deserved time with his family.
  Thank you, Blake, for all you have done and will continue to do for 
Missouri.

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