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.
“REMEMBERING CLIFFORD HARDIN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S2291-S2292 on April 14, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
REMEMBERING CLIFFORD HARDIN
Mr. JOHANNS. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to a great Nebraskan and great American. Last week, we lost a visionary figure who, through years of service, made lasting contributions to our society: former University of Nebraska chancellor and later U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin.
I was deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Cliff Hardin. His lifetime of service both in government and academia provides a shining example of the impact one person can have.
As chancellor of the University of Nebraska, Cliff was the steady hand that guided the University through a turbulent era. He was appointed to the position in 1954 at the age of 38--the youngest university president in the country at the time. His tenure at Nebraska lasted 15 years.
In reading the many tributes to Cliff over the last week, I was touched by one particular story that showed his true colors. Upon learning that a rival university had plans to place Nebraska's Black football players in one hotel and the White players in a separate hotel, he refused to let the team even board the plane to go to the game. It wasn't long until the other school changed course and offered the same accommodations for all players.
As Secretary of Agriculture, Cliff was a results-oriented advocate for farmers and ranchers in my home State of Nebraska and across the country. He put a premium on bipartisanship, and his distinguished record of accomplishments set a wonderful example for me during my time as Secretary of Agriculture. As Congress works this year to reauthorize child nutrition programs, his impact is still felt. It was then-Secretary Hardin who established the Food and Nutrition Service within the Department of Agriculture to administer nutrition programs.
I extend my deepest condolences to the entire Hardin family. Cliff leaves behind a legacy of service and leadership. He will be missed but not forgotten.
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