[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 18]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 24866]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




A TRIBUTE TO MRS. JANET WILKINSON--37 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING SERVICE WITH 
    THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FARM SERVICE AGENCY

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                         HON. G.K. BUTTERFIELD

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 3, 2005

  Mr. BUTTERFIELD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today and ask my colleagues to 
join me in offering a well deserved tribute to an exemplary citizen, 
Mrs. Janet Wilkinson, who has dedicated 37 years of her adult life as 
an employee with the United States Department of Agriculture's Farm 
Service Agency. I am particularly proud that Mrs. Wilkinson was born in 
my home town, Wilson, NC.
  As if to forecast her future with the United States Department of 
Agriculture's Farm Service Agency, Mrs. Wilkinson started out at a very 
young age working on a tenant farm where she experienced first hand the 
lifestyle and the many ups and downs farmers endure from day to day.
  After graduating from Rock Ridge High School in 1969, Mrs. Wilkinson 
learned of a job opportunity at the Agriculture Stabilization and 
Conservation Service. She applied for the position and was hired. The 
story that Mrs. Wilkinson tells is all too familiar in public servant 
circles. She indicated that she ``came in with the intentions of 
working and going to school part time.'' She added, ``but the work was 
so involved that I just kept on working, and I enjoyed it.'' And here 
we are 37 years later.
  Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Wilkinson has worked under five directors of the 
Farm Service Agency and has taken the helm three times as interim 
director. In 2003, for her outstanding service and loyalty to the Farm 
Service Agency and the agriculture industry, she was presented with the 
North Carolina Distinguished Service Award. After 37 dedicated years, 
Mr. Speaker, Mrs. Wilkinson deserves to retire with many other ovations 
and well wishes from those whose lives she touched in a very special 
way.
  Mr. Speaker, I offer congratulations on behalf of the Committee on 
Agriculture of the United States House of Representatives, my 
congressional colleagues and the more than 660,000 constituents whom I 
represent. It is my wish that Mrs. Wilkinson will continue to find much 
challenge and reward in all of her future endeavors.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Mrs. Wilkinson for her service to the State of 
North Carolina.

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