Tribute to Natural Resources Conservation Service Chief Dave White for Career of Work in Agriculture Conservation

Remarks as prepared:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Dave White, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  After a career with NRCS that spanned nearly 4 decades, this week he announced plans to retire.

Chief White has spent his career working to improve the nation’s land management policies and practices.

Over the years, Dave has been an indispensable resource of experience and knowledge. From serving as a Senate detail during the 2002 farm bill, to helping to craft the 2008 farm bill conservation title, to his leadership in implementing and improving these programs at NRCS, Dave’s work has helped the nation achieve our shared objectives for sustaining agriculture and the natural resources upon which we all depend.

One area in particular is voluntary, incentive-based conservation programs, where Chief White has delivered a demonstrated track record in leveraging resources to maximize limited resources.

In my home state of Pennsylvania, these efforts are helping to improve our local water quality and the health of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed while also keeping farms profitable and ensuring that these lands remain in agriculture over the long-term.

I want to thank Dave White for his dedicated service.  Best of luck in your retirement, Chief.  

I yield back.