[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 169 (Monday, October 16, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S4976]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         TRIBUTE TO DON NIKODIM

 Mr. SCHMITT. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
executive director of the Missouri Pork Association, Don Nikodim.
  In September, Don announced he would be retiring in January 2024 
after 40 years at the Missouri Pork Association as their executive 
director. He is well-respected by everyone in Missouri's agricultural 
community, and he is truly a champion for Missouri's pork industry. 
Under his leadership, the Missouri Pork Association has hit many 
milestones when advocating for needed policy, educating producers, and 
ensuring commonsense practices.
  From eating ribs and candied bacon at the Pork Place at Missouri's 
State Fair, to visits to my Washington, DC, office, Don is always a 
welcoming and friendly face wherever I see him. As a graduate of the 
University of Missouri, with degrees in animal science, agricultural 
economics, and agricultural education, Don has always been a wealth of 
knowledge in the agricultural sector. Those around him always benefit 
from his expertise. I am glad for how closely I got to work with Don 
and the Missouri Pork Association, during my time as Missouri's 
attorney general, as we worked together to combat ridiculous 
regulations by the Federal Government that hurt our pork industry.
  Don will be greatly missed in this role, but I wish him the best in 
his well-deserved retirement. This is the end of an era for the 
Missouri Pork Association, and now, they have some very big shoes to 
fill.
  I applaud Don for his over 40 years of commitment, hard work, and 
leadership in Missouri's pork industry, and I ask my Senate colleagues 
to join me in honoring his incredible career and unrelenting passion 
for Missouri's pork industry.

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