[Pages S10004-S10005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY IN 
                       THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE

  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Agriculture Committee be discharged from further consideration, and the 
Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 539.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The clerk will report the resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 539) congratulating the Department of 
     Agronomy in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State 
     University for 100 years of excellent service to Kansas 
     agriculture.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent the resolution be 
agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, and the motion to reconsider be 
laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 539) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The resolution, with its preamble, reads as follows:

                              S. Res. 539

       Whereas, in 2006, the Department of Agronomy in the College 
     of Agriculture at Kansas State University in Manhattan, 
     Kansas, celebrates its centennial year;
       Whereas Kansas State Agricultural College was established 
     under the Morrill Act as the first land-grant college in the 
     United States in 1863 and, in July 1906, the Kansas Board of 
     Regents established the Department of Agronomy in the College 
     of Agriculture at the Kansas State Agricultural College;
       Whereas, since its inception, the Department of Agronomy 
     has exemplified the land-grant mission by providing statewide 
     leadership in teaching, research, and extension programs in 
     crop breeding, crop production, range science, soil science, 
     and weed science;
       Whereas advances in sciences studied at the Department of 
     Agronomy have had a major impact in insuring the 
     profitability of Kansas agriculture while sustaining the 
     natural resources and improving the livelihood of all 
     Kansans;

[[Page S10005]]

       Whereas the faculty in the Department of Agronomy also have 
     made significant international contributions to world food 
     production and natural resources sustainability, including 
     participation and leadership in long-term projects in India, 
     the Philippines, Nigeria, Morocco, and Botswana;
       Whereas the faculty in the Department of Agronomy have 
     distinguished themselves by receiving numerous university and 
     national awards in teaching, research, and extension and 
     provided service and leadership for national and 
     international professional societies;
       Whereas the faculty in the Department of Agronomy have 
     conducted research for sustainable, efficient crop and range 
     production systems that conserve natural resources and 
     protect environmental quality;
       Whereas, today, a majority of the acres of wheat and a 
     significant number of acres of alfalfa, soybean, and canola 
     in Kansas are planted with varieties developed in the 
     Department of Agronomy;
       Whereas the Department of Agronomy extension specialists 
     have provided information to producers and industry regarding 
     soil fertility, conservation of soil and water resources, 
     tillage and production systems, evaluation of crop varieties 
     and hybrids, and protection of the environment, thus, keeping 
     Kansas agriculture efficient and competitive;
       Whereas the Department of Agronomy faculty have prepared 
     students in agronomy to effectively serve agriculture and 
     society by feeding the world and protecting soil and water 
     resources;
       Whereas the alumni of the Department of Agronomy have 
     distinguished themselves in the public and private sectors as 
     crop, soil, range, and weed science professionals and have 
     become farmers, extension agents, educators, administrators, 
     consultants, representatives, scientists, missionaries, 
     military officers, contractors, and a host of other 
     professionals; and
       Whereas many alumni of the Department of Agronomy have 
     become leaders in their communities, academia, industry, and 
     government, contributing significantly to world agriculture 
     by making hybrid corn a reality, developing seeds for the 
     Green Revolution, developing sorghum into an important crop, 
     breeding ``Miracle Rice'' for Asia, and leading national 
     programs in wheat, barley, oat, and alfalfa: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate congratulates and commends the 
     Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture at 
     Kansas State University for 100 years of excellent service to 
     Kansas agriculture, the citizens of Kansas, the United 
     States, and the world.

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