[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 56 (Wednesday, March 25, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E263]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING DAVID J. SALMONSEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. GLENN THOMPSON

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 25, 2026

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
and honor a dedicated servant to the agricultural industry, David J. 
Salmonsen, who is retiring after nearly three decades of dedicated 
service to the American Farm Bureau Federation and the American farmer 
and rancher.
  David's journey did not begin in the halls of Congress, but on the 
soil of his family's diversified dairy and crop farm in Manlius, New 
York. That upbringing instilled in him a fundamental understanding of 
the challenges facing our producers--an understanding he carried with 
him through the University at Albany and the Washington College of Law.
  For 29 years, David has been a steady hand and a trusted authority 
for the Farm Bureau. As Senior Director of Government Affairs, he 
became one of the Nation's preeminent experts on international trade. 
From the WTO Doha talks to the implementation of the USMCA and Phase 
One agreements with China and Japan, David was consistently at the 
table, ensuring that the voice of the American farmer was heard in 
every corner of the globe.
  His expertise was so highly regarded that he served as a cleared 
advisor for the USDA and USTR for over two decades, providing critical 
Counsel on the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee. Yet, despite his 
global reach--leading delegations to Geneva, Brussels, and London--
David never forgot his roots. He brought a practical, farm-grown 
perspective to the most complex international negotiations, never 
losing sight of the producers he represented.
  Mr. Speaker, David Salmonsen leaves behind a legacy of expanded 
markets, fairer trade, and a stronger future for American agriculture. 
We thank him for his 29 years of tireless advocacy, and we wish him and 
his family the very best in a well-deserved retirement.

                          ____________________