[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 148 (Monday, September 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6329-S6330]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO KEN HAMILTON

  Mr. BARRASSO. Mr. President, I rise today in celebration of Ken 
Hamilton and his retirement from the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation.
  On October 31, 2024, the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation will 
celebrate Ken Hamilton's retirement after 41 years of service. 
Throughout his career, Ken has been a strong and effective advocate for 
the State's agriculture industry.
  Ken was born and raised in rural Big Horn County, WY. His dedication 
to agriculture was sparked from a young age. Ken learned the trade by 
working on the family ranch, raising sheep and cattle, and trying his 
hand at irrigated farming practices.
  Ken graduated from Manderson-Hyattville High School and earned an 
associate of arts in pre-law at Northwest College in Powell. He 
graduated with a bachelor of science degree from the University of 
Wyoming in 1982.
  Ken attended the American Farm Bureau Federation work exchange 
program in Australia during his senior year at UW. While there, he 
worked for Checkers Pastoral Company and the Colligan Creek Pastoral 
Company.
  Following his return to the States, Ken began his career at the 
Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation as a research and field assistant. He 
gained valuable skills that soon prompted a promotion to director of 
field services and then administrative assistant. In 2004, he became 
the executive vice president.
  The Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation advocates for farmers and ranchers 
by protecting private property rights, drafting grassroots policies, 
strengthening agriculture, and developing educational practices for 
leadership and advocacy. Ken's life and time at Farm Bureau have been 
truly dedicated to these principles.
  In addition to his work at the Farm Bureau, Ken dedicated his time to 
various organizations to further conservation efforts and agricultural 
production. He served on the 2006 Wyoming

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Brand Task Force, the State of Wyoming Coal Bed Methane Working Group, 
the Western Region Air Partnership Dust Forum, the Greater Yellowstone 
Coordinating Committee, the Legal Information and Networking Committee, 
and the American Farm Bureau's general council advisory and the legal 
information and networking committees.
  Ken also served as the Wyoming Capitol Club president, the Wyoming 
Society of Association Executives president, the Mountain West Farm 
Bureau Mutual Insurance Company secretary, and the Wyoming Farm Bureau 
general manager.
  In response to his unwavering dedication to Wyoming agriculture, Ken 
was honored in 2015 as one of UW's Outstanding Alumni. In 2023 Ken 
received a Longevity Award from the Wyoming Farm Bureau Federation.
  Joining in this momentous celebration is Ken's wife Kathy and his son 
Ian Hamilton.
  It is with great honor that I recognize and celebrate Ken Hamilton. 
He embodies the Cowboy Code to the fullest. His incredible 
contributions and positive strides within the agriculture industry are 
remarkable. He represents the best of Wyoming agriculture. 
Congratulations to Ken Hamilton on his retirement from the Wyoming Farm 
Bureau Federation.

                          ____________________