Al Franken: “today, on behalf of all Minnesotans, I rise to thank my good friend--and a real jewel in the crown of Minnesota…”

“today, on behalf of all Minnesotans, I rise to thank my good friend--and a real jewel in the crown of Minnesota agriculture--Doug Peterson, as he retires as president of the Minnesota Farmers Union after 14 years of leading that important organization. To say family farming is important to Minnesota is an understatement. One in five jobs in our State is connected to agriculture, and as Doug often told me, when Minnesota farmers and ranchers succeed, prosperity follows. In all, Doug spent four decades as an influential voice on farm policy, as a family farmer, a State legislator, and, since 2002, as head of the Minnesota Farmers Union. It is fair to say that a great many national, State, and local leaders have looked to Doug not only for advice and counsel, but also to publicly lead the fight on behalf of our family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. And I have to tell you, after going through the last farm bill debate, he is one hell of a fighter, and our State and our farmers have reaped the benefits of his work many times over. For me, as a Senator, Doug was an important mentor. He helped teach me what it takes to put crops in the ground and to get that same crop to market. He also invited me to visit farms across the State to see firsthand the time, expense, and hard work required to raise a bushel of corn or soybeans, a ton of sugar beets, or to produce a gallon of milk.…”