[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 3] [Senate] [Page 3645] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]TRIBUTE TO THEODORE ELDRIDGE Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, today I congratulate Theodore Eldridge of Moro for receiving the John Gammon Award for his dedication and service to the Arkansas agriculture industry. The award is presented each year by the Arkansas office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. Theodore represents the best of our Arkansas values: hard work, dedication, and perseverance. He currently serves as the coordinator of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's 52-Acre Demonstration Farm. He also works part-time for the UAPB Demonstration Outreach Center in Marianna and the East Arkansas Enterprise Community. I have had the privilege of working closely with Theodore on several projects for the USDA Rural Development Program, where he served as district director in Forrest City, and later as the director of water and wastewater programs. This past December, I was pleased to announce his appointment to serve on the Arkansas Farm Service Agency State Committee. He has since been elected chairman by the committee and has shown exemplary leadership for our State's farmers and ranchers as he ensures our producers have the tools in place to produce a safe and affordable food supply. Theodore plays a vital role in our State's rural communities as he works to facilitate programs that will spur local economic development. He also oversees and informs local producers about USDA programs. As a seventh-generation Arkansan and farmer's daughter, and as chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, I understand firsthand and appreciate the hard work and contributions of our Arkansas agriculture community. Agriculture is the backbone of Arkansas's economy, creating more than 270,000 jobs in the State and providing $9.1 billion in wages and salaries. In total, agriculture contributes roughly $15.9 billion to the Arkansas economy each year. I salute Theodore and the entire Arkansans agriculture community for their hard work and dedication. ____________________