The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“A TRIBUTE TO BRADLEY KARMEN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H2991 on June 22.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
{time} 1945
A TRIBUTE TO BRADLEY KARMEN
(Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to a truly great public servant. Mr. Bradley Karmen served 41 years at the Department of Agriculture, most recently as associate deputy administrator of Farm Programs at the Farm Service Agency.
Put in perspective, President Lincoln established the Department of Agriculture in 1862, and Brad Karmen worked there for nearly one-third of the Department's entire existence.
Ironically, Brad is a city kid, having grown up on Long Island. He would be the first to tell you he knew nothing about agriculture or the Federal farm policy that he would help fashion over the course of nearly a half century. It is not an exaggeration to say that no regulation cleared the Farm Service Agency or farm law was enacted without Brad's careful eye and wise counsel.
Madam Speaker, I don't know how a Long Island kid with no knowledge of agriculture or farm policy came to dedicate his professional career to helping the American farmer, but I am sure grateful he did.
Thank you, Brad, for your distinguished career of public service. Godspeed.
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