[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5635-S5636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                        TRIBUTE TO RICH HILLMAN

 Mr. BOOZMAN. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize Arkansas 
Farm Bureau president, Mr. Rich Hillman, and the integral role he has 
had in serving the State of Arkansas and her agricultural pursuits and 
to celebrate his years of fervent dedication and leadership as his 
tenure at the helm of the organization comes to a close.
  For the past 4 years, Rich has served faithfully as the Arkansas Farm 
Bureau State president, preceded by 11 years as vice president, and 
prior involvement on the Arkansas Farm Bureau board of directors dating 
back to 2001. His influence on the industry is further proven through 
his service in a number of leadership positions on the national and 
State levels and especially in his local community.
  For more than 20 years, farm families and rural communities across 
the Natural State have welcomed Rich's leadership with gratitude and 
depended on him to be a true advocate of their needs. They have relied 
on him to ensure that policies developed in Washington will benefit 
farmers and ranchers and the communities that surround them.
  Rich's leadership has been marked by wisdom gained through 
experience. To lead by example is a trait worthy of admiration and one 
that Rich has undoubtably exemplified. He is a proud sixth-generation 
farmer in Lonoke County, where he and his wife Tina have grown rice, 
soybeans, corn, and most importantly, a capable and passionate seventh-
generation of agriculturalists in their children Collin and Caroline; 
their grandchildren; and generations to come.
  It is because of people like Rich that I remain hopeful for the 
future of agriculture. His pragmatic advice has long been paramount in 
informing our work on the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition,

[[Page S5636]]

and Forestry Committee and been instrumental in crafting important 
legislation to support Arkansas agriculture.
  I cherish the friendship and counsel I have found in Rich and wish to 
thank him again for his unwavering dedication to Arkansas's 
agricultural producers. Though he is stepping down from his role as 
Arkansas Farm Bureau State president, I know that he will continue to 
be a fierce advocate for the needs of the industry.
  I wish Rich, Tina, and the Hillman family the best as they enter into 
this new chapter of their lives.

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