[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 92 (Tuesday, May 30, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO LORI HOPPE

 Mr. DAINES. Mr. President, today I have the distinct honor of 
recognizing Lori Hoppe of Park County for her dedication to fostering 
excellence in agricultural education and across Park County.
  In 2013, Lori saw an opportunity to bring agricultural education to 
her hometown of Gardiner; a quaint gateway community to Yellowstone 
National Park with a population of 800 people. She established Gardiner 
High School's first agriculture program and FFA chapter, which today 
proudly boasts a near 50-percent student body participation rate. The 
Gardiner FFA Chapter has consistently built a name for themselves as 
being fierce competitors; they are the first agricultural sales career 
development event team to not only champion the district contest, but 
also to qualify for the national convention.
  As Gardiner FFA prepared for the national competition, their means of 
getting there was threatened when historic flooding impacted Park 
County. With a state of emergency declared and access to Yellowstone 
National Park halted, the lack of tourists required the cancellation of 
the local rodeo, with sales from the concession stand being the primary 
means of funding for Gardiner FFA's trip to the National FFA Convention 
and Expo.
  Lori knew they needed to come up with a new fundraising idea if they 
wanted to compete at nationals. During the school year, the students 
built a utility trailer that they decided to try and sell at the Park 
County Fair. The community rallied behind the students and helped them 
raise more than five times their goal. The Gardiner FFA Chapter went on 
to make their community proud, earning a seventh place team finish, and 
one student placing third individually.
  Now reaching her 10th year as an educator, Lori is receiving 
statewide recognition from the Montana Association of Agricultural 
Educators--MAAE--for being among the best ag instructors in the 
Treasure State. Her application will be forwarded on to the regional 
level where she will be evaluated alongside winners from other States. 
I am confident Lori will represent Montana well.
  It is my distinct honor to recognize Lori Hoppe for her commitment to 
promoting agricultural education in Park County and throughout the 
Treasure State. The future of Montana agriculture is better off because 
of her tireless work.
  Thank you, Lori. You make Montana proud.

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