The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“MORNING BUSINESS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the in the Senate section section on pages S951-S952 on March 27.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
MORNING BUSINESS
______
TRIBUTE TO COLLEEN CALLAHAN
Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, since 1987, we have recognized March as Women's History Month. It is an opportunity to honor the women who have served our Nation throughout our history.
This March, I want to commend one woman who has devoted her life to serving my home State of Illinois: Colleen Callahan. After nearly 4 years of service, Colleen recently stepped down from her role as the first-ever female director for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. Throughout her tenure, Colleen was a dedicated steward of our State's natural wonders, all while navigating a once-in-a-century pandemic. While this was an historic challenge, it was far from the first she has faced in her career. Time and again, Colleen has stood up in the face of adversity and persevered.
Colleen has a record of breaking down barriers. As a young woman living on a family farm near Milford, IL, she took a keen interest in agriculture, which, back then, was something of a boy's club. But that didn't stop her from pursuing her childhood passion. She participated in livestock shows and even achieved the title of Youngest Exhibitor of a Grand Champion at the International Livestock Exhibition in Chicago at just 9 years old. Despite her talent and success, Colleen was unable to join the Future Farmers of America, not because of merit, but because women were not yet eligible for consideration. But she pressed on.
After high school, Colleen attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and pursued a degree in agricultural communications, at a time when very few women were represented in broadcast journalism. As a freshman in college, she became the first woman to join the Illinois State 4-H Livestock Judging Team, a true full-circle moment. By the time she graduated with honors in 1973, she had already accepted her first job as an agribusiness reporter for WMBD-TV in Peoria. For the next three decades, Colleen made her dream of becoming a broadcast journalist a reality.
And her record of accomplishment was just beginning. After years as a successful reporter, Colleen became the first-ever female agribusiness director for WMBD-TV. Shortly after, she served as the first female president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. Being the
``first'' is never easy, but, as evidenced by her remarkable career, Colleen has never been afraid to venture into new territory. And, because of her determination, she has opened many doors that have previously been closed to women in agriculture.
In addition to her passion for broadcasting and agriculture, Colleen also has answered the call to public service. Really, she was born for it. Colleen comes from a family of true public servants: Her uncle, Gene Callahan, was a dear friend of mine, and a lifelong Democrat whom I worked alongside under former U.S. Senator, and my mentor and friend, Paul Simon. And Gene's daughter--Colleen's cousin--is former Congresswoman Cheri Bustos, who represented Illinois' 17th Congressional District from 2013 to January of this year--not to mention her father, Francis Callahan, who was chair of the Iroquois County Democrats, and her grandfather, Joe Callahan, who was vice chairman of the Iroquois County Democrats and a member of the Illinois State House of Representatives.
So it was no surprise when Colleen announced she was running for Illinois' 18th Congressional District in 2008. While she may have come up just short in that race, Colleen speaks fondly of the experience. She once said, ``Not winning doesn't mean losing!''
But still, Colleen went on to win countless victories for the people of Illinois. Shortly after her run for Congress, then-President Barack Obama appointed her to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Illinois State Director of Rural Development.
And in March 2019, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker appointed her as director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, making her the first woman in Illinois history to hold this position. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources helps manage our more than 400 State parks, historic sites, wildlife, and water resources. Colleen had about a year to get her bearings as director until the COVID-19 pandemic hit. And during this unprecedented and tumultuous time, she certainly rose to the occasion. She preserved and expanded our State's invaluable natural resources at the exact moment they were needed. During the darkest days of the pandemic, Illinoisans sought comfort and quality time outdoors. So our State parks, historical sites, and natural areas became a sanctuary for many--and Colleen was there for our families every step of the way.
In 2021, she spearheaded the effort to re-name an invasive species of fish--previously known as Asian carp--to ``Copi,'' short for the word
``copious,'' given how abundant the carp is in Illinois rivers and streams.
And, after a consistent, decades-long decline in general revenue funding for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Colleen secured the department's largest State budget in more than 20 years, which is now funding long overdue improvements at sites across our State. Today, Colleen's hard work is paying off. With these new funds, she has played a hand in reopening the Rend Lake Resort, located in Wayne Fitzgerrell State Park in Franklin, IL. For a long time, the Rend Lake Resort served as Franklin's economic powerhouse, but after years of neglect and financial troubles, the resort had no option but to prepare for permanent closure. Its future seemed bleak until Colleen stepped in and saved the day. And later this year, the department will break ground on a $17.5 million renovation that will revamp the facility and breathe fresh life into Rend Lake Resort.
This investment, along with Colleen's efforts to reduce Illinois' carbon footprint and mitigate the effects of climate change, has and will make a difference in the lives of every Illinoisan. While Colleen has closed this chapter of her distinguished career, she, thankfully, has no plans to fully retire from public life. For her, there is still much left to be done.
I want to thank Colleen for her dedication to public service and for never being afraid to shatter a few glass ceilings along the way. She is a trailblazer and a role model to many. Illinois is truly grateful for her contributions to our great State. Loretta and I wish Colleen and her husband Dick much happiness in their next chapter.
____________________