Jim Risch: “I rise to recognize a great loss suffered by the people of Idaho and the Takasugi family in particular. Last week, Idaho…”

“I rise to recognize a great loss suffered by the people of Idaho and the Takasugi family in particular. Last week, Idaho State Representative Pat Takasugi passed away after a 3- year battle with cancer. During that fight he was fortunate to have the loving support of his wife Suzanne, his three children, and his parents. When I was Governor, I had the great fortune to appoint Pat to my cabinet to serve as my director of the department of agriculture. Pat was an unwearying advocate for agriculture. He understood what farmers faced, since he was one of them. He started farming in 1977 and successfully grew his business from 32 acres to a 1,500-acre operation. Pat served as the director of the department of agriculture for 10 years, and during that time he worked tirelessly in promoting the products grown in Idaho. In 2003, before the local food movement became popular, he instituted the Idaho Preferred brand to help consumers identify locally grown products. He had numerous accomplishments as director that moved Idaho's agricultural industry forward. He created the Idaho Food Quality Assurance Lab, established the Seed Indemnity Fund, pushed cooperative weed management, and streamlined regulations, among others. Pat encouraged the next generation of farmers to be involved in various agricultural boards and commissions and to become leaders in their community.…”