[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 128 (Tuesday, July 25, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S3518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  TRIBUTE TO JON AND DIANNE KIRKBRIDE

  Mr. BARRASSO. Madam President, at the 111th Wyoming State Fair, 
Senator Lummis and I will have the pleasure of introducing Jon and 
Dianne Kirkbride as 2023 inductees to the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of 
Fame.
  Jon and Dianne Kirkbride have been devoted to each other and the 
agriculture industry for over five decades. They have been married for 
55 years while also running a multi-operational ranch, the Harding and 
Kirkbride Livestock Company. Harding and Kirkbride Livestock company is 
located 32 miles outside of Cheyenne, WY. The ranch has hosted tours 
during the Cheyenne Frontier Days Fair and Rodeo, educating the public 
on Wyoming ranch life.
  Dianne devoted decades to the beef industry. She is a member of 
Wyoming CattleWomen, of which she is the past president. She advocates 
for American and Wyoming beef. Dianne was selected as the American 
National CattleWomen's Woman of the Year in 2001 for her years of 
dedicated service to the cattle industry. Dianne also worked for 
Senator Mike Enzi as a field representative in Cheyenne for 20 years.
  Dianne's service to her community doesn't end here. She is on the 
Cheyenne Regional Medical Board of Trustees, the Laramie County 
Community College Foundation Board, and the Congressional Award 
Council, where she was the president for 6 years. Through her work in 
the Wyoming Congressional Awards Program, Dianne mentored more than 80 
students in volunteer and community service projects for the past 24 
years. Dianne regularly follows up with kids that she worked with 20 
years ago. She is delighted when she hears about all of their 
impressive accomplishments. These students learned early on the value 
of being involved and giving back to their communities. This is a great 
example of how the Kirkbrides are influencing the next generation in 
Wyoming.
  Jon runs the ranch while also contributing to the beef industry on a 
local, State, and national level. He is committed to agriculture in 
Wyoming and to Wyoming public schools. Jon has served as president of 
the Wyoming Stock Growers Association and as the Wyoming director of 
the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Jon also spent 16 years on the Laramie 
County School District No. 2 Board of Trustees. He served as president 
of the Wyoming School Board Association and also served on the Wyoming 
State Board of Education. In addition to serving his community, Jon 
served his country in the U.S. Air Force.
  Together, Jon and Dianne have garnered an impressive list of 
accomplishments. Both Jon and Dianne exemplify the leadership in 
Wyoming agriculture that the Agriculture Hall of Fame has recognized 
for over 20 years. Jon and Dianne have three sons TJ, Jeff, and Glen. 
TJ and his wife Michelle have two daughters Maddy and Bryn and two boys 
Brady and Joel. Jeff and Jami have six boys Taylor, Carter, Jackson, 
Jayden, Grayson, and Bennett, along with their daughter Savannah. Glen 
and Rochel have three children Kayla, Morgan, and Shelby. Jon and 
Dianne's son Jeff and grandson Taylor are both ranchers living in 
Meriden. TJ is a counselor at Triumph High School, and Glen is also a 
teacher and coach at Central High School. Dianne and Jon's children are 
a testament to their dedication for education in Wyoming.
  Jon and Dianne's unmatched passion for family, Wyoming agriculture, 
wildlife and animal conservation, and cultivating partnerships make 
them an outstanding choice for the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.
  It is a great honor to participate in their induction. They continue 
to represent Wyoming and Western interests with dedication and 
distinction. My wife Bobbi joins me in congratulating Jon and Dianne as 
2023 inductees into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame.

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