[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 67 (Monday, April 19, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1893-H1894]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF STEVEN KOPPERUD

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
North Carolina (Mr. Rouzer) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and legacy 
of one of the great voices for American agriculture here in our 
Nation's Capital, Steven L. Kopperud.
  His death this past year was sudden and a shock to all of us who knew 
him. Steve was always the same, from the first day I met him almost 25 
years ago until the last time we talked. He was a great friend, one 
whom you could trust to shoot you straight. As are so many in the 
agriculture arena, he was a down-to-earth, great guy; the type you 
could pick up a conversation with as though you had just talked 
yesterday when, in fact, it could have been a year or more; the type 
who would always be there for you. And if it was a policy question, he 
always, always, had the facts. He believed in his work, and he was 
passionate about it.

[[Page H1894]]

  After growing up in Minneapolis and attending the University of 
Minnesota, Steve started his career in journalism, writing for the 
Minneapolis Star Tribune and the San Diego Union-Tribune. He eventually 
became the Washington bureau chief for Feedstuffs, which further 
introduced him to the world of agriculture.

  From there, he launched a long, distinguished career in advocacy, 
lobbying on all things animal, everything from food, livestock, 
poultry, trade, and animal welfare, to biotech, among countless other 
agricultural issues. He was a founder of the Animal Alliance 
Association, and eventually started his own firm to represent clients 
across the Nation's agriculture sector.
  Steve played an instrumental role in the passage of every farm bill 
in the past 35 years, from his first in 1985 to his last in 2018. He 
could always be found in the Halls of Congress, the White House, or 
USDA, making the case for commonsense agriculture policies critical to 
our producers and American consumers. And by the fortuitous nature of 
events early on in his career, he became a key voice with great 
expertise in the animal welfare policy arena.
  Steve leaves behind his wife, Judith, of more than 45 years, and 
many, many friends. The contributions he made to agriculture were 
numerous, leaving a great legacy of advocacy that has benefited 
American producers and has helped to feed the world. His was a life 
very well-lived, and American agriculture is that much better because 
of Steve Kopperud, and so is our country.


                       Tribute to Carolyn Justice

  Mr. ROUZER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay particular tribute to 
an individual who has been an institution in the Cape Fear region for 
decades, my friend and former colleague in the State legislature, 
Carolyn Justice.
  Carolyn served five terms in the North Carolina House of 
Representatives, representing New Hanover and Pender Counties. Before 
her service in the State legislature, she served on Pender County's 
Board of Commissioners. She has also served as a trustee of New Hanover 
Regional Medical Center, Pender Memorial Hospital, and as chair of the 
Lower Cape Fear River Program.
  Now, I got to know Carolyn while serving in the State Senate. She was 
a co-chair of the State House Appropriations Subcommittee on 
Agriculture and Natural and Economic Resources, while I was co-chair of 
the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee. So we got to know each other 
quite well as we went line by line of the State budget, making cuts to 
the programs under our purview.
  The economic collapse of 2008 and 2009 had left the State budget in 
shambles, and it was our job to help balance it. These were not easy 
decisions, but, with Carolyn as a key partner, we made the budget 
numbers work while doing our best to fund the programs of most value to 
the citizens of the State.
  Through her service and kindness to others, Carolyn Justice continues 
to leave an indelible mark on southeastern North Carolina. This is why 
it is so fitting that she was recently named by the Wilmington Star-
News in March, which was Women's History Month 2021, as one of 106 
women who have made the Port City area a better place.
  I don't know of anyone who stands stronger for the Cape Fear region 
and the causes in which she believes. This is a well-deserved honor for 
a very distinguished public servant and my great friend and colleague.

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