[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E555-E556]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         HONORING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF PAUL FREDERICK ENGLER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RONNY JACKSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 23, 2024

  Mr. JACKSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and 
legacy of Paul Frederick Engler of Amarillo, Texas. Paul was a lifelong 
entrepreneur and innovator, whose passion and dedication transformed 
the cattle feeding industry.
  Born in Stuart, Nebraska, Engler's passion for the cattle industry 
started at a young age, buying his first cattle herd at age 12. At 15 
years old, Engler graduated from High School and went on to complete 
his undergraduate degree in agriculture at the University of Nebraska.
  Engler moved to Hereford, Texas in 1960, founding Hereford Feedyard, 
where his entrepreneurial instincts and determination allowed him to 
drive economic development in the Panhandle. By 1972, he had become an 
executive at Iowa Beef Processors, once the largest beef processor in 
the Nation. While Engler had already established a notable reputation 
for himself in the cattle feeding industry, in 1975, he moved to Dumas, 
Texas, where he founded Cactus Feeders, and under his leadership, 
Cactus Feeders would become one of the largest feeding operations in 
the world.
  Through innovative feeding programs, rigorous quality standards, and 
a commitment to continuous improvement, Paul Engler elevated the 
standards of excellence in beef production, earning the respect and 
admiration of his peers across the globe. To name a few, he was named a 
``Top 40 Beef Industry Giant,'' received the Cattle Business of the 
Century Award, the Industry Advancement Award, and the National 
Cattlemen's Beef Association Vision Award. He was an initial inductee 
to the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame and the first recipient of the 
Industry Achievement Award. He was also inducted to the National Cowboy 
Hall of Fame and the Meat Industry Hall of Fame.
  Beyond his professional achievements, at heart, Paul Engler was a 
philanthropist dedicated to giving back to the communities that have 
supported him throughout his journey. Through the Paul F. and Virginia 
J. Engler Foundation, he has made significant contributions to West 
Texas A&M University, where he received an Honorary Ph.D. in Business 
Administration and Agriculture from the College of Business and the 
College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, both bearing his name. The 
Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation also helped establish the 
Engler Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 
to support agribusiness and establish a student program focused on 
entrepreneurship with the goal that students who graduate from the 
program would return to their communities inspired to build strong 
businesses.
  Engler was laid to rest in Amarillo, Texas on May 8, 2024, surrounded 
by his family and friends. His contributions to the agriculture 
industry will remain unmatched, and he will be truly missed by the 
countless individuals he impacted. Engler was preceded in death by his 
wife, Virginia, and his oldest daughter Teresa Raizen. Engler is 
survived by Michael Engler and wife Dalia, Matthew Engler, Mark Engler, 
Jennifer Coleman and husband Tom, and Sara Cady and husband Steve. He 
also leaves grandchildren Rachel, Nat, Garrett, Ryan, Ben, Claire, 
Jaxon, Emma, and Sofia, and four great-grandchildren Able, Trevor, 
Tyler, and August. Engler is also survived by stepdaughters Claudia 
Gilson and husband John, Cathleen May and husband Jeff, and Caroline 
Faulks and husband Steve. Paul also leaves behind his beloved sister, 
Katherine Anderson. A mentor and friend to many, I join his family, 
friends, and the people of the Texas Panhandle in celebrating Paul 
Frederick Engler's life and legacy.

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