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“TRIBUTE TO ART ISGAR” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E645 on April 26, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO ART ISGAR
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HON. JOHN T. SALAZAR
of colorado
in the house of representatives
Monday, April 26, 2010
Mr. SALAZAR. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Art Isgar, a respected leader in his community of southwest Colorado. Arthur Richard Isgar died in Durango on March 17th, 2010. It was a privilege to know Art Isgar and his wonderful family and I offer my condolences to them at this time of loss.
Art Isgar was born in Oxford, Colorado, on October 6th, 1915. One of seven boys, he spent his childhood in rural La Plata County. At times, he lived with members of the Southern Ute Tribe which was an experience that left him with a deep appreciation of other cultures. As a child he also spent time in the mining camps of the San Juan Mountains near Silverton and Telluride. Supporting himself from the age of 13, Art Isgar learned to make his way in the world by working on farms and delivering mail on horseback.
In 1946 he got married to Ann Wise. They took the train from Durango to Silverton and returned home in time to milk the cows. Art went on to become a defender of the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in its time of need.
With their hard work, the Isgars' ranch grew into one of the largest in La Plata County. Art was president of the La Plata County Cattlemen's Association and helped lead the fight to create the Animas-
La Plata Project. He was also instrumental in the effort to bring Fort Lewis College to its current site in Durango. Art Isgar was also deeply involved in politics working with the Democratic Party to bring the State convention to Durango in 1960, a convention that presidential hopeful John F. Kennedy attended. Art's life was a life of service to his family and his community.
The legacy of Art Isgar continues in his amazing family. Art Isgar's son, Jim Isgar, continues the proud tradition of public service established by his father, serving as a State Senator and now as the State Director for the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development.
At the end of the day, after all of his community service, Art Isgar still had his feet on the ground. He was always a farmer who found his greatest joy out irrigating his fields. Even at the age of 93 that is where he could be found.
Madam Speaker southwest Colorado has lost a great leader. I wish his family well in this time of loss. Art Isgar will be missed but his legacy will live on through his amazing family and all the lives that he touched in his time in southwest Colorado.
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