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“TRIBUTE TO MR. BOB EDDLEMAN” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S95-S96 on Jan. 26, 2000.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO MR. BOB EDDLEMAN
Mr. LUGAR. Mr. President, I take this opportunity to salute the outstanding public service of a conservationist and member of the agriculture community in the state of Indiana.
After 42 years of service, Bob Eddleman, Indiana State Conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service, retired at the end of December. In his role as public servant, Bob set an example for everyone with his steadfast concern for conservation and dedication to the preservation of natural resources of his home state.
Mr. Eddleman was born and raised on a farm in Crawford County, Indiana. He was an active member of 4-H and Future Farmers of America and took an interest in activities relating to the conservation of soil and water resources. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture at Purdue University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma.
His career of federal service began in 1957 as a student trainee for the USDA Soil Conservation Service in English, Indiana. After serving as a soil conservationist, a district conservationist and an area conservationist in Indiana, his career path took him to New York as assistant state conservationist and then back to the Midwest as deputy state conservationist in Illinois. In 1980 Bob returned to the Hoosier state as state conservationist.
In his role as state conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Mr. Eddleman has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to conserving Indiana's soil and water resources and has devoted himself to building a strong federal, state, and local partnership to provide services to Indiana citizens. He is also a leading advocate for Indiana's soil and water conservation districts. The individual accomplishments of Mr. Eddleman are many, but his years of service reflect his dedication to building working partnerships. As the result of his guidance and leadership, Indiana's Conservation Partnership is recognized as a model for other states to use to increase soil and water conservation practices on the land.
Mr. Eddleman served on many state-wide natural resource work groups that have directed conservation actions in Indiana including: the Indiana Lakes Management Group; the Great Lakes Watershed Management Group; the Maumee River Basin Study; the Indiana Water Committee; and the Indiana Natural Resources Land Use work group. Bob has been a 4-H leader for 27 years, has served on the Marion County Extension Board for 9 years, was recognized as a fellow of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS), and currently serves on the SWCS Board of Directors. In 1995 he received the Distinguished Agricultural Alumni Award from Purdue University in recognition of his professional achievements and dedicated service to agriculture and society.
Finally, Bob Eddleman served as a mentor and role model to others in federal service. There are a great number of leaders within the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service who have gained skills in leadership and partnership building by working for and with Bob.
Mr. President, I regret that the State of Indiana and all conservationists will be losing Bob Eddleman. With special thanks, I salute him for his service and wish him well as he embarks upon new endeavors.
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