Dusty Johnson: “I rise today to honor an individual for his extraordinary leadership for family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and…”

“I rise today to honor an individual for his extraordinary leadership for family farmers and ranchers in South Dakota and across the entire country. Mr. Leland Swenson has been the president of the National Farmers Union (NFU) for the past fourteen years, and the president of the South Dakota Farmers Union (SDFU) for 7 years prior to that. For the past 20 years, Lee has been the leading voice for family farm agriculture in the country. During his tenure in these positions, Lee has provided immeasurable service, support, and leadership for family farmers and ranchers in efforts to maintain prosperity of rural communities. A native of Minnesota, Lee was recruited to begin his career with South Dakota Farmers Union in 1971 as the Secretary/Treasurer. Lee was a very successful organizer, resulting in an increase in membership for 6 out of his 8 years at this post. Because of his talent, initiative, and ingenuity, Lee joined the National Farmers Union headquarters in Denver, CO as Field Services Coordinator. Lee's dedication to building a membership base and maintaining that base is something to be admired. Returning to South Dakota, Lee was elected the president of SDFU in 1981. During his swearing in ceremony, Mr. Swenson pledged to ``preserve, protect and defend the family farm system of agriculture.'' Lee has fulfilled that promise time and time again.”