[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 64 (Monday, April 13, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Page S1712]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO PHOU VONGKHAMDY

 Mr. WHITEHOUSE. Mr. President, I rise today to honor my 
constituent Phou Vongkhamdy, my favorite Lao cowboy.
  Phou is the former USDA NRCS State Conservationist for Rhode Island. 
Since moving to Rhode Island in 2009 and joining the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, Phou has become a cornerstone of the northeast 
agricultural community. His journey, from his beginnings as a student 
intern to over 15 years leading the State's conservation efforts, is a 
testament to his dedication to the land and the people who steward it. 
His leadership and knowledge have led the service to bring exemplary 
conservation practices to many farmers, forest landowners, cities and 
towns across the State. A respected leader, Phou has aggressively 
worked to maximize the effectiveness of the service and, in doing so, 
has always given 110 percent to everything he works on. While others 
would often say something could not be done, Phou always strove to find 
a way to say yes. He made NRCS in Rhode Island the little engine that 
could.
  His commitment is defined by his inclusive approach to conservation, 
ensuring that the benefits of soil health, water quality, and 
sustainable forestry are accessible to all. A tenacious public servant, 
he has actively built the capacity of the conservation districts by 
developing cooperative agreements with associations. His signature 
hands-on approach ensured swift and effective collaboration. Under his 
leadership, the service has seen a substantial increase in utilization 
of its most popular programs, the Environmental Quality Incentives 
Program and the Conservation Stewardship Program. These programs are 
particularly useful for specialty crop growers and forest land 
managers, who represent the vast majority of Rhode Island agriculture.
  Phou has also been an indispensable partner in our mission to protect 
Rhode Island's natural beauty and strengthen our communities against 
the growing threats of climate change. Together, we secured critical 
investments for our State, most notably the landmark $48.5 million 
Federal project to prevent flooding along the Pocasset River, a 
transformation that will protect families in Cranston and Johnston for 
generations to come. From our early days restoring migratory fish 
passages on the Pawtuxet River to his steady leadership in the wake of 
the historic 2010 floods, Phou has consistently turned Federal 
resources into real-world results. His dedication as State 
conservationist preserved thousands of acres of our farmland and 
wetlands and ensured that the Ocean State remains resilient and vibrant 
for all who call it home.
  I thank and applaud Phou for his work, his devotion, and his 
friendship. Under his guidance, Rhode Island has seen transformative 
growth in climate-smart agriculture and farmland protection, securing a 
more resilient future for the Ocean State.

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