[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 22515-22516]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




            CONGRATULATIONS TO LAIRD LARSON AND BOB DUXBURY

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, today I want to offer my warmest regards 
and sincere congratulations to Laird Larson of Clark, SD, and Bob 
Duxbury of Wessington, South Dakota, on their receipt of South Dakota 
State University's Eminent Farmer award for 2003 in Brookings last 
Friday night.
  Laird Larson and Bob Duxbury are well known and highly respected 
within SD, not only as dedicated farmers, but also as innovative 
community leaders. I know of no individuals more deserving of this 
recognition than Laird and Bob.
  Laird and his wife, Kathy, have farmed in Clark County, SD, for 
almost 30 years. They are active in a number of farm organizations, 
including the South Dakota Crop Improvement Association, SDCIA, where 
Laird has served on the county board of directors for nearly 20 years 
and as State president. This year the SDCIA recognized Laird as is its 
Premier Certified Seed Grower.
  Laird also has a long history promoting agricultural education. He 
has raised funds for renovating greenhouses at South Dakota State 
University and is currently working to develop a seed science center at 
the school.
  Laird and Kathy Larson understand the unique character of rural life 
and have passed on its values to their three accomplished children: 
Heidi, who works for Wisconsin Crop Improvement; Shane, who I had the 
pleasure of getting to know when he worked on my Senate staff several 
years ago; and Sara, who is majoring in special education at Augustana 
College in Sioux Falls. The Larson family reflects the strength and 
character of rural life in America today.
  Bob Duxbury and his wife, Rose, farm and ranch near Wessington, in 
central South Dakota. In a landscape dotted with farms, ranches and 
small communities, farmers and ranchers not only are called upon to 
feed our Nation with safe and affordable food, but in many instances 
are also called upon to serve in public office. Bob exemplifies that 
dual commitment, standing today as a shining example of Thomas 
Jefferson's enduring ideal of the citizen farmer.
  Bob's commitment to agriculture started at a very young age, with his 
own participation in 4-H and continued with his degree from South 
Dakota State University in 1956, which he used to teach animal science. 
He served as the State's Secretary of Agriculture from 1975 to 1978 and 
was a member of the State Fair Board from 1971 to 1975. He also has 
been a member of the South Dakota legislature for nearly 20 years, many 
of those in leadership positions.
  It is instructive that Bob has maintained his interest in 4-H 
programs for six decades, serving as president of the South Dakota 4-H 
Leaders Association, and was a recipient of the first National 4-H 
Alumni Award for South Dakota in 1973. As chair of the Hand County 4-H 
Leaders Association, he helped secure the current county 4-H site and 
assisted with construction of the other facilities. His love of 
agriculture and rural South Dakota is being carried forward, as his 
grandchildren are now involved with 4-H.

[[Page 22516]]

  Again, congratulations to Laird Larson and Bob Duxbury for their 
recognition by South Dakota State University for their contributions to 
South Dakota agriculture.

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