[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E572-E573]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     HONORING THE LIFE OF JOE MOORE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOHN W. ROSE

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2025

  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the incredible life of 
Joe Moore. who passed away in late March at the age of 90. Moore lived 
a life dedicated to agriculture. I, along with many other current and 
former Tennessee FFA members, consider him to be a mentor, a role 
model, and indeed a hero.
  The Time Magazine cover was published after he was named the FFA Star 
Farmer of America in 1955. Appearing in the October 24, 1955, issue, it 
shows a 21-year-old Joe Moore, the only active FFA member to make 
TIME's cover.
  At the FFA convention that year, judges were impressed by his farming 
operation conducted in Jackson County, Tennessee, which I am honored to 
represent today. He had a net worth of $37,000 at the time--a great 
deal for someone his age in the mid-1950s. At that time, he was farming 
505 arches, 85 of which he owned personally.
  I often say farmers are our Nation's original conservationists. Joe 
Moore is a shining example of why I believe that to be true. The TIME 
article noted how he incorporated modern farming techniques to combat 
erosion and improve soil health. He carefully monitored the diet of his 
livestock to keep them healthy. He showed great attention to detail and 
inspected his animals closely, which enabled him to detect any health 
issues early.
  Over the years, his family farm has taken a bit of a beating. Very 
little care was taken to where row crops went into the ground. No 
remedies for erosion had been taken. But Joe was determined to restore 
the land to richness. He tackled years of abuse and the less-than-ideal 
terrain, arguing that his rocky slopes could be as fertile as flat land 
with the right amount of care. The article even says Joe viewed 
misfortune as a test of faith.
  Mr. Moore found success off the farm as well. He was the owner and 
operator of the Upper Cumberland Oil Company in Cookeville,

[[Page E573]]

which sold and distributed Texaco petroleum products for almost 30 
years.
  He also believed in giving back. He was one of the founders of the 
Granville Museum in his home community and served on its Board of 
Directors. He also served as an elder of the Liberty Church of Christ 
and was a longtime supporter of FFA in Tennessee.
  He is survived by his wife of more than 68 years, Ann, along with a 
son, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
  I want to end, Mr. Speaker, with a quote from Moore from 1955, 
``farming is the closest thing to the Lord you can do.'' I could not 
agree with him more.

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