[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2019]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO JOHN AND JILL MAHAN

 Mr. BUNNING. Mr. President, today I pay tribute to John and 
Jill Mahan, an exceptional young couple from Kentucky who are the 
recipients of the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers 
National Achievement Award. By winning this prestigious award, the 
Mahans exhibited an unprecedented passion and skill for farming, 
beating out competition from across the United States.
  The American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers National 
Achievement Award is presented to young farmers and ranchers across the 
United States who demonstrate knowledge and achievement in agriculture, 
as well as a steadfast strength and goal of promoting the agricultural 
community. With the average age of American farmers increasing steadily 
as the years go by, it is refreshing to see a young couple like the 
Mahans embrace the financial and labor-intensive plight that is common 
in the field of agriculture.
  The Mahans own 523 acres of a 2,000-acre farm near their home in 
Lexington, KY. With the changing needs facing farmers, they quickly 
learned to diversify their production options and create alternatives 
for income. Currently, the Mahans produce burley tobacco, beef cattle, 
wheat, soybeans, corn, and alfalfa. This forward-thinking approach to 
the ever-changing agriculture market is a clear reason this couple 
experiences continued success in their farming career.
  I congratulate John and Jill Mahan on this prestigious award from the 
American Farm Bureau. By winning this national award, they have shown 
the rest of the Nation the strength of the agricultural community in 
Kentucky along with their personal dedication to their remarkable 
careers in farming. They are true examples of Kentucky at its 
finest.

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