[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 196 (Wednesday, November 18, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1050]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              THANKS BLAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 18, 2020

  Mr. LONG. Madam Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to a great man 
and citizen of the Show Me state, Mr. Blake Hurst, as he celebrates his 
upcoming retirement. Since being elected the President of the Missouri 
Farm Bureau on December 7, 2010, Blake has helped strengthen the Bureau 
financially and grow its influence in Washington, D.C.
  The Missouri Farm Bureau was founded as the first state Farm Bureau 
in the United States in 1915, and over the years, it has grown to 
include over 130,000 members. During his tenure, Blake was a strong 
advocate for Missouri's farmers. He will be leaving the Missouri Farm 
Bureau in a stronger position than when he came into office and has 
ensured the long-term success and influence of the organization.
  Blake has been an active member of the Missouri Farm Bureau for much 
of his life, serving on the Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee before 
becoming the statewide chairman and eventually serving on the state 
board of directors. For eight years, Hurst served is a district board 
member for the state of Missouri and seven years as the Vice President 
of the Bureau. Blake has earned a national reputation as a leader in 
agriculture policy. Over the years, Blake has written numerous pieces 
which have appeared 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. Hurst continues to be an 
active member of his community, running a wholesale greenhouse business 
with his wife, Julie, daughter, Lee; and sons-in-law, Ryan Harms and 
Matt Schlueter.
  I wish Blake the very best as he embarks on this new chapter of life, 
and I am grateful for his service to his community.

                          ____________________