[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 137 (Monday, August 2, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S5559]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO KEITH AND LINDA HAMILTON

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, at the 109th Wyoming State Fair, Senator 
Lummis and I will have the pleasure of introducing Keith and Linda 
Hamilton as 2021 inductees to the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.
  Growing up as the fourth generation on the Hamilton Ranch, Keith's 
agricultural involvement holds deep roots in working to advance 
agricultural leadership and conserve natural resources important to the 
western lifestyle. In 1975, Keith joined the Wyoming Farm Bureau and 
began taking on leadership positions in 1981 as the Big Horn County 
Farm Bureau vice president. In 1988, Keith joined the Wyoming Farm 
Bureau Federation board of directors and represented Big Horn, Fremont, 
Hot Springs, Park, and Washakie Counties as the northwest district 
director until 2010.
  In addition to serving the agricultural community through the Wyoming 
Farm Bureau, Keith has been very active in serving on public lands 
boards, wildlife working groups, and livestock organizations. Keith has 
given his time to the Big Horn Basin Sage Grouse Working Group, the Big 
Horn County Predator Management Board, and is the past chairman of the 
Wyoming State Grazing Board. Through his work, the wildlife of Wyoming 
is left more abundant for future generations.
  As Mark Anderson, current chairman of the Wyoming State Grazing Board 
observed, ``Keith is currently our valued representative on the Wyoming 
Board of Directors to the National Public Lands Council and he is the 
type of person I would like to have as a neighbor.''
  The Hamilton Ranch and Keith would not be as successful as it is 
today were it not for his wife, Linda. Linda has a servant's heart and 
has dedicated her time and efforts to many events and organizations 
within the Hyattville community. She served as a founding member of 
Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom as well as on their board of 
directors. She has also served on the board of directors for Northwest 
College alumni, the Hyattville Methodist Church, and the Wyoming 
Association of Conservation District. Linda held the important role as 
a spokesperson for conservation districts in both State government and 
the legislature. Linda leads with a selfless volunteerism, a community-
based spirit, and an outstanding work ethic.
  In addition to their involvement in civic activities, Keith and Linda 
Hamilton's love and dedication for agriculture show both in their 
dedication to organizations, as well as in the improvement of 
operations on their ranch. The Hamilton Ranch was recognized as the 
1998 Environmental Stewardship Award winner, as well as a Wyoming 
Centennial Ranch in 2015. Both of these reflect the nature of Keith and 
Linda as leaders in agriculture.
  The Hamiltons were one of four operations to initially enroll in the 
Wyoming Stewardship Program in 1982. This program opened the door for 
the Hamiltons to work closely with agencies such as Wyoming Game and 
Fish Department, Wyoming Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Land 
Management, U.S. Forest Service, and Natural Resources Conservation 
Service on improving ranch operations. The Hamilton Ranch continues 
their involvement with these agencies today, leading the way for 
agricultural innovation and collaboration in Wyoming.
  Keith and Linda are longtime members of the Wyoming Wool Growers 
Association, Wyoming Stock Growers Association, and past members of the 
Mountain States Lamb Co-op.
  With the Hamilton family's unwavering commitment to our State, it is 
with great honor to induct them into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of 
Fame. Keith and Linda Hamilton represent the best of Wyoming courage, 
optimism, and the Western Code. They have represented Wyoming's 
interests with dedication and distinction for many years. My wife, 
Bobbi, joins me in congratulating Keith and Linda Hamilton as 2021 
inductees into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.

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