[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H2660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





                    HONORING THE LIFE OF DAN WHEELER

  (Mr. Rose of Tennessee was recognized to address the House for 5 
minutes.)
  Mr. ROSE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of a true 
public servant. Daniel Clyde Wheeler passed away just over 2 months 
ago.
  Dan Wheeler, as most people referred to him, grew up in the Crab 
Orchard community in Cumberland County, an area I am proud to represent 
here in Congress.
  Like myself, Mr. Wheeler grew up on a family farm. That experience 
led him to become a staunch advocate for our State's growers and 
producers.
  In 1965, he started a long career working for the Tennessee Farm 
Bureau Federation where he served as an agent for Marion County and 
Sequatchie County. In no time, he was representing an entire region 
encompassing the Cumberland Plateau and the Chattanooga area of 
Tennessee.
  In 1973, Mr. Wheeler became assistant to the president and director 
of organization for Tennessee Farm Bureau. By 1980, he took on the role 
of lobbyist for the Farm Bureau Federation, a role he saw as an 
opportunity to advocate for his fellow farmers across Tennessee and 
across the Nation. He later was named chief administrative officer of 
Tennessee Farm Bureau. His dedication led him to become Tennessee's 
32nd Commissioner of Agriculture in January of 1995.
  I was blessed to succeed Commissioner Wheeler, who I considered to be 
a man of great knowledge, as well as a personal mentor.
  He formed the first-ever Governor's Council on Agriculture and 
Forestry in Tennessee, an important step that brought key stakeholders 
to the table. That, I suspect, will be his enduring legacy, bringing 
growers and producers into the same room as policymakers. That 
collaboration continues to have a major impact on our State's leading 
industry, agriculture. Commissioner Wheeler also served as the Southern 
United States Trade Association president, where he represented 17 
States and Territories.
  In 2000, he was named Man of the Year in Service to Tennessee 
Agriculture by Progressive Farmer magazine.
  Commissioner Wheeler helped neighbors outside the agriculture 
industry, as well. He served the Maury County United Way, the Columbia 
Kiwanis Club, the Maury Regional Hospital Foundation, and the First 
Farmers and Merchants National Bank of Columbia, Tennessee, on their 
board of directors.
  He leaves behind a wife of 59 years, Carol; two sons, Jim and David; 
five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.
  I thank Commissioner Dan Wheeler and honor him for his many 
contributions to our great State of Tennessee.


                     Honoring the Life of Joe Moore

  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. Mr. 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 next to me 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 at his farming 
operation conducted in Jackson County, Tennessee, which I am honored to 
represent today. He had a net worth at that point of $37,000, at the 
time, a great deal for someone of his age in the mid-1950s. At that 
time he was farming 505 acres, 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.
  Mr. Moore found his success off the farm, as well. He was the owner 
and operator of the Upper Cumberland Oil Company in Cookeville, which 
sold and distributed Texaco petroleum products for over 30 years.
  He also believed in giving back. He is the original founding board 
member of the Granville Museum in his home community, served as an 
elder of the Liberty Church of Christ, and was a longtime supporter of 
FFA in Tennessee.
  He lived a long life alongside his wife, Ann, of more than 68 years. 
He leaves behind a son, a daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I will end 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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