[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 20]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 28089]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO BOB SKINNER, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. GREG WALDEN

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 6, 2003

  Mr. WALDEN of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I rise 
today to pay special tribute to a fine American, a true gentleman and a 
good friend of mine, Mr. Bob Skinner, Jr. of Oregon on the occasion of 
the end of his term as president of the Oregon Cattlemen's Association 
(OCA). Bob is a fifth generation cattle rancher, raised on the high 
desert of southeast Oregon. Growing up on his family's ranch outside of 
the small town of Jordan Valley, Bob learned the virtues of hard work, 
patience, and dependability. After earning a B.S. degree in business 
from the College of Idaho, Bob's devotion to his family and friends and 
his affinity for the ranching way of life drew him home to Jordan 
Valley and Oregon's vast high desert landscapes.
  Through his many efforts over the years, Bob has emerged as a 
powerful spokesman for family ranchers and the rural way of life both 
in Oregon and across the nation. During the early 1990's, he led the 
effort to organize his neighbors in defense of grazing rights along the 
Owyhee River following an attempt to eliminate grazing as a critical 
land management tool. In the late 1990's after the Steens Mountain was 
proposed as a national monument Bob teamed up with other ranchers, 
community leaders and me to find a solution that would ensure the 
sustainability of livestock production on the mountain while preserving 
treasured resources. Bob was critical to the establishment of the 
Steens Mountain Cooperative Management and Protection Area, which arose 
from legislation I introduced in Congress--one of the most widely 
applauded measures to affect eastern Oregon in decades.
  Mr. Speaker, Bob enjoys a reputation as a clear, cool head in 
discussions pertaining to the cattle industry. He is effective 
precisely because of his ability to maintain a levelheaded and 
respectful demeanor while tenaciously fighting for the interests of 
family ranchers. Bob's quiet, articulate and effective leadership has 
earned him the respect of many in Oregon and throughout the West. Bob 
understands that we can preserve the ranching lifestyle and stand up 
for the hard-working people who make their living off the land while 
improving the environment. Ranchers are, in fact, true stewards of the 
land and have been for many generations.
  Bob has been recognized for his leadership with a number of 
prestigious awards, among them the 1997 Voice of the Industry Award of 
the Portland Chamber Agriculture Industries Committee and the 2000 
Salem Chamber Agriculture Star Award. Over the years, Bob has given 
back generously to his community by donating his time and energy to 
various worthy causes. He has served on numerous local boards ranging 
from the county road board to the local ambulance board. Bob has also 
devoted much of his time to the young people of Malheur County as a 4-H 
leader. He further shares both his love of flying and his Cessna 182 to 
provide transportation for search and rescue personnel. I am proud to 
call Bob Skinner, Jr. my good friend and appreciate the opportunity to 
share his accomplishments over his long and distinguished career as an 
Oregon cattle rancher. The cattle industry and future generations of 
farmers and ranchers will continue to benefit from Bob's dedication and 
willingness to go the extra mile on their behalf.
  I would be remiss if I failed to note Bob's remarkable family and all 
that they mean to him. Bob's father, Bob Skinner, Sr. is an equally 
impressive man. He resides in Jordan Valley, too, and has a 
distinguished leadership background similar to his son's. Bob Sr. was a 
former national committee member of the Public Lands Council and a Past 
President of Oregon Cattlemen's Association. I am fortunate to call Bob 
Sr. and his wonderful wife Sara my good friends. Bob Jr.'s wife, Karen, 
is likewise deserving of considerable praise. She is Bob's partner in 
success and travels great distances to dedicate herself to her 
community and industry. Together Bob and Karen have raised four 
children, Robbin, Kimberly, Silas, and Michael, who have given the 
Skinners six beloved grandchildren, Nicholous, Kirk and Birch, Kasen, 
Regann, and Kort. In the summer of 2002, I had the privilege of 
spending the night in Jordan Valley with the entire family and had a 
wonderful time getting to know the extended Skinner clan. Together they 
truly exemplify the dedicated, hard-working and fun-loving American 
family.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me in congratulating this 
extraordinary man and great American, Bob Skinner, Jr. I would like to 
thank Bob personally for all he has done for the people of Malheur 
County, the Second District, and the State of Oregon--especially those 
Westerners who make their living off the land. I wish Bob, his wife 
Karen and their entire family all the best in future endeavors.

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