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“TRIBUTE TO DON DIXON” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S13986-S13987 on Nov. 6, 2007.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO DON DIXON
Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, it is with mixed emotions that I bid farewell to a longtime member of my staff but, more importantly, a trusted friend of many years. Don Dixon has served as my State director of agriculture for the past 12 years. His service has been exemplary; nothing less can be imagined from Don--he is a man of the highest character, a man whose honesty, trustworthiness, kindness, intelligence, dependability and wisdom are firmly rooted in a foundation of humility. He came to me with a well-established reputation for fairness and extensive knowledge of Idaho agriculture. Throughout more than a decade of public service, I can honestly say that I have learned more from him than he from me. I have the highest regard for Don; he is irreplaceable. Fortunately, it is just Senate employment that he is leaving, and I get to enjoy his friendship and insight for years to come.
As a farmer with firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by producers, Don has been reliable counsel to the agriculture community, the Idaho delegation and others as he has worked for sound agriculture policy. Don has been recognized for his dedication to agriculture through awards, such as the Governor's Excellence in Agriculture Award and induction in the Eastern Idaho Agricultural Hall of Fame. It is also nearly impossible to find an aspect of Idaho agriculture that Don has not been involved with through membership of organizations and councils, service on boards, and continuous outreach.
In addition to his experience, Don brings contagious enthusiasm and energy to everything he undertakes, and serves as not only a strong advocate for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but also provides exemplary counsel to fellow farmers and ranchers. Don's easy going personality is complemented by a sharp mind and quick wit. Idaho agriculture has benefited in incalculable ways from his wisdom, wealth of hard-earned knowledge and his ability to see the bigger picture when it comes to dealing with issues important to Idaho's agriculture community such as water, land use, grazing and animal management, conservation, invasive species and community relations. His has been a voice of reason and calm in the sometimes thorny conflicts that occur between Federal, State and local agriculture regulations and issues. Don has been a tireless spokesman for Idaho's growers and ranchers, a community leader and a good friend to many. It has been an incredible honor and a pleasure to have him on my staff. Don has taught me many things, among them the wisdom of a gate wide enough to accommodate a tiller, and the vast array of Idaho scenery that can be even better appreciated when ``big'' lost in the Little Lost.
Don has been an essential part of my hometown office, in Idaho Falls; as a result, I share office space with Don when I am home. For most of us, the little things that make our offices ours say quite a bit about who we are. Don keeps a supply of Whoppers in his desk, finishes his coffee, cold, in the afternoons, tracks useful information--what Idahoans like to call ``scuttlebutt''--and keeps a dollar bill in his desk drawer. He has created many different storage options for himself in his office, has a reputation as a skilled charades player and color codes activities on his calendar. A little light-hearted personal work space analysis reveals that Don, a whopper of a fellow and true to his farming and ranching roots, is wisely frugal, keeps informed about his community, and is prepared for any emergency. He is creative, inventive and works hard to keep his friendships colorful, nurtured and long-
lasting.
I want to thank Don for his many years of service, and thank his wife Georgia for her support as he has worked for me. The schedule isn't always the most family-friendly, and she, like Don, has braved it with a sense of humor and patience.
He has served Idahoans with excellence, and, as he takes the helm of the Idaho State Farm Services Agency, his knowledge, character and wisdom will continue to serve Idaho agriculture. I will miss him on my staff.
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