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“RECOGNITION OF CHARLES RUSSELL FOR HIS BRAVERY AND SERVICE IN IRAQ” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1582 on Sept. 14, 2010.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNITION OF CHARLES RUSSELL FOR HIS BRAVERY AND SERVICE IN IRAQ
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HON. MARY JO KILROY
of ohio
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Ms. KILROY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Charles Russell for his inspiring work to help rebuild the Iraqi agricultural sector. As a civilian volunteer, Mr. Russell not only helped those directly affected by his service, but also contributed to the overall rebuilding of the Iraqi community.
Along with our men and women in uniform, volunteers such as Charles Russell are an integral part of our mission in Iraq and Afghanistan. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Russell grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and became an agricultural statistician and expert in the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service in Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
Selflessly leaving his family and home, Mr. Russell volunteered to serve 16 months helping people he had never met. Mr. Russell served as a USDA Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) agricultural expert on both the embedded PRT-Baghdad 4 and the embedded PRT-Baghdad South in Baghdad Province. He was one of the only civilians in these groups.
Mr. Russell tirelessly worked to create the Mahmudiyah Higher Agricultural Association (MHAA), a non-governmental organization dedicated to helping Iraqi farmers get access to new technologies, equipment, and low-cost credit. Additionally, Mr. Russell helped the Iraqi people strengthen their communities, improve management of natural resources, and rebuild agricultural markets. For his work he received the U.S. Department of State's meritorious honor award for his sustained, dedicated, and successful efforts. As John D. Brewer, the Foreign Agricultural Service administrator, said, ``the efforts of people like Charles are crucial for helping to create stable, democratic, and economically viable societies in countries like Iraq.''
I commend Mr. Russell for his undeniable dedication, outstanding personal character, and unwavering commitment to those less fortunate than himself. On September 8, 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture honored Mr. Russell at its Service Recognition Ceremony for USDA employees that have completed deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq. I am proud to recognize and honor Charles Russell for his efforts and patriotism.
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