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.
“TRIBUTE TO DR. SALLY ROCKEY” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S834-S835 on Feb. 28.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
TRIBUTE TO DR. SALLY ROCKEY
Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, it is my privilege to recognize and honor Dr. Sally Rockey, the inaugural executive director of the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, and a pioneer in Federal research, on the occasion of her well-earned retirement.
Dr. Rockey's career has improved countless people's lives through research, and she continues this mission today. She has been a leader in the advancement of research programs in both agriculture and biomedicine. She spent almost 20 years with the U.S. Department of Agriculture managing competitive research grant programs, and she was with the National Institutes of Health--NIH--for 11 years as the NIH Deputy Director for Extramural Research, where she led the operations of the world's largest extramural research program.
Together with Senator Pat Roberts, I established the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research in the 2014 farm bill. Under Dr. Rockey's leadership, the foundation has become a significant force in the agriculture research community by developing innovative private-public partnerships to fund rigorous food and agriculture research. During Dr. Rockey's 6 years at the helm, the foundation awarded more than 250 grants in collaboration with over 550 partners. Her engagement with a broad swath of partners helps leverage
$1.40 for every dollar allocated by Congress. To put this into perspective, with Congress' investment of $385 million over 10 years, along with the matching funds, the Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research is on track to invest nearly a billion dollars in agriculture research, an impressive feat for a new initiative and a testament to Dr. Rockey's leadership.
Dr. Rockey's legacy is not only audacious research--and the lives that are impacted by this research--but also the invaluable support the foundation provides to the next generation of scientists. During her tenure, the foundation established several programs that specifically prepare today's young scientists to address the food and agriculture challenges of tomorrow.
Dr. Rockey's future-focused perspective has led the foundation to create AgMission. Founded in partnership with U.S. Farmers and Ranchers in Action and World Farmers Organization, AgMission is an unprecedented global collaboration of farmers, ranchers, and scientists co-creating and rapidly expanding innovation, adaptation, and the adoption of climate-smart technologies. AgMission embodies our shared vision that agriculture can be mobilized to address the climate crisis.
I want to personally congratulate Dr. Rockey on the conclusion of her spectacular career in public service and wish her the best of luck on the start of the next chapter of her life.
We wish you well, Sally.
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