[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 21 (Wednesday, February 1, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S193-S194]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO JUSTIN HEUPEL

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I have the honor of 
recognizing Justin Heupel of Flathead County for his dedication to his 
students and passion for advancing agriculture education in Montana.
  Originally from Culbertson, MT, Mr. Heupel first joined FFA as a 
student in 1988. His passion for farming and ag took him to Montana 
State University where he received a degree in agricultural education--
``Go Cats!'' He has served Montana as an educator for 27 years and has 
spent the last 19 years teaching at the H.E. Robinson Agricultural 
Education Center in Kalispell, where he also serves as a faculty 
adviser for FFA.
  Mr. Heupel has been instrumental in improving and expanding ag 
education

[[Page S194]]

in our great State. He served as president of the Montana Association 
of Agricultural Educators and advocated for the Advancing Agricultural 
Education in Montana program that helped create over 25 new agriculture 
education programs in Montana schools and provided funding to improve 
the quality of existing programs. Recently, Mr. Heupel received the 
National FFA Organization's highest degree recognizing him for his 
exceptional service to agricultural education.
  Teachers serve an important role as they shape the minds of young 
Montanans and help prepare them for future careers. Montana has a rich 
legacy of agriculture, as it is the primary driver of our economy. 
There is no doubt that Mr. Heupel's passion for teaching about 
agriculture helped encourage young Montanans to pursue careers in this 
important field. In fact, nine of his former students have gone on to 
become agricultural education teachers themselves.
  Passionate educators like Mr. Heupel help make Montana a better place 
and give students the tools they need to be successful. It is my honor 
to recognize Mr. Heupel for his devotion to shaping the next generation 
of Montana ag leaders and keeping Montana's rich legacy of agriculture 
alive. Keep up the great work; you make Montana proud.

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