[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 9]
[Senate]
[Page 12311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                  TRIBUTE TO THOMAS E. ``JAKE'' FISHER

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, it is with great pride that I pay 
tribute to a dedicated public servant from my home State of Missouri. 
Jake Fisher has devoted his professional life to helping others through 
his work at the University of Missouri Delta Center.
  Shortly after graduation from high school, Jake was employed at the 
University of Missouri Delta Center as a farmworker I. From that 
position, he was promoted to technician, senior technician, and 
research specialist. In 1986 he became the assistant superintendent. 
Three years later, Jake was promoted to Superintendent of the Delta 
Center and continues to serve in that leadership role today. Next 
month, Jake will retire after 50 years of dedicated service to 
agriculture research in Missouri.
  Besides his work at the Delta Center, Jake serves on the board of 
directors for a number of organizations, including Progressive Farm 
Credit Services of Southeast Missouri, Pemiscot-Dunklin Electric 
Cooperative, M&A Electrical Cooperative, Associated Electrical 
Cooperative, and Pemiscot County Port Authority. He is a member of the 
executive committee of the Research Administrator's Society. Along with 
his service to these organizations, Jake is a 32nd degree Mason and 
Shriner.
  Due to his selfless efforts, Jake has received numerous awards, 
including the State Farm Management Award in 1981 by Production Credit 
Association of Eastern Missouri. He was named ``Man of the Year in 
Service to Agriculture'' by the Progressive Farmer Magazine in 1995 and 
in 1996 was granted honorary membership to the University of Missouri 
Ag Alumni Association. He was awarded a lifetime membership to the 
Cotton Producers of Missouri in 1997 and in 2000 received the 
outstanding staff award by the University of Missouri's College of 
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. In 2001, Jake was named ``Ag 
Leader of the Year'' by Missouri Ag Industries Council. He was honored 
with the A.C. Burrows Service Award in 2009 by the Association of 
Missouri Electrical Cooperatives. In 2011, Jake received the 
Agribusiness Service Award from the Sikeston, MO, Chamber of Commerce. 
He was awarded the Frank Stork Democracy Award in 2011 by the Missouri 
Association of Electrical Cooperatives. In 2006, the conventional 
soybean variety ``Jake'' was named for Jake Fisher.
  Jake is also a loving and devoted husband to his wife of almost 50 
years, Shelly, and an outstanding role model for his daughter, Stacey 
Kersey, and for his grandsons, Gunnar Young and Kasen Kersey.
  Thomas E. ``Jake'' Fisher's career has been built on character, 
dedication, and service to his fellow Missourians. His accomplishments 
during his 50 years of loyal service will be felt for generations to 
come. I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating this great 
Missourian and extending our best wishes as he begins a new chapter in 
life.

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