HLS 17RS-1909 ORIGINAL
2017 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 116
BY REPRESENTATIVES ANDERS, CHANEY, HAZEL, PYLANT, AND
SCHEXNAYDER
COMMENDATIONS: Commends Buck Vandersteen, Ray Young, and the late James D.
Graugnard, Sr., the 2017 Louisiana Agriculture Hall of Distinction inductees
1 A RESOLUTION
2To commend three legendary Louisiana titans of agriculture, Mayther "Ray" Young, Charles
3 "Buck" Vandersteen, and James Graugnard, Sr., posthumously, for their induction
4 into the Louisiana Agricultural Hall of Distinction.
5 WHEREAS, the Louisiana Radio Network, LSU Agricultural Center, Louisiana
6Farm Bureau, and the Department of Agriculture and Forestry recognize the importance of
7agriculture, forestry, and agri-business in Louisiana; and
8 WHEREAS, these same organizations recognize outstanding service and leadership
9to Louisiana agriculture, forestry, and agri-business by creating the Louisiana Agricultural
10Hall of Distinction; and
11 WHEREAS, the nominees for this recognition come from throughout Louisiana,
12undergoing a rigorous review process and selection by a panel of agricultural leaders; and
13 WHEREAS, Mayther "Ray" Young is a certified crop consultant with a lifelong
14career in farming and helping farmers throughout Louisiana. Young pioneered "no-till"
15technology used on farms throughout Louisiana and the South. He and his family are
16farmers producing a variety of crops including cotton, soybeans, sweet potatoes, corn,
17vegetables, pine trees, and cattle. Young served as a pilot in the Navy, mayor of Wisner, and
18a board member and chairman of Louisiana Land Bank. Young received the Louisiana State
19Conservation Award, the 4-H Silver Clover Award, the Life-Long Producer Award,
20Progressive Farmer Magazine's Man of the Year in Service to Agriculture, LSU Alumnus
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HR NO. 116
1of the Year in Agriculture, and National Consultant of the Year by Cotton Farming
2Magazine; and
3 WHEREAS, Charles "Buck" Vandersteen is a forester and tree farmer and has served
4as the executive director of the Louisiana Forestry Association for the past 34 years.
5Vandersteen is a fellow in the Society of American Foresters, a past president of the National
6Council of Forestry Association Executives, past president of the Louisiana Society of
7Association Executives, and past member of the board of directors of Louisiana Land Bank.
8He received the Distinguished Service to Forestry Award and is a graduate of the LSU
9Agricultural Leadership Development Program. Vandersteen's leadership has contributed
10to the growth of sustainable forestry and professional logging practices in Louisiana; and
11 WHEREAS, James Graugnard, Sr., posthumously, was nominated for the time and
12resources he dedicated to the betterment of the farmers and people of Louisiana. Graugnard
13had profound influence on Louisiana agriculture while serving as president of the Louisiana
14Farm Bureau during his distinguished career of 26 years. His legislative relationships played
15a huge role in the state capitol as well as in congress furthering farm legislation that helped
16farmers do a better job farming and marketing their crops. Graugnard was a farmer with a
17variety of crops grown on his 2,300 acre farm. The diversity of crops gave him the
18experience to communicate with a variety of farmers, researchers, and lawmakers on issues
19of farm policy and regulations. He was a veteran of World War II serving with the Marines
20and Air Force.
21 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
22Legislature of Louisiana does hereby commend the contributions of Mayther "Ray" Young,
23Charles "Buck" Vandersteen, and James Graugnard, Sr., to agriculture, forestry, and agri-
24businesses of Louisiana and well-deserved induction into the Louisiana Agricultural Hall of
25Distinction.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a suitable copy of this Resolution be transmitted
27to each individual or his surviving family member.
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HR NO. 116
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 116 Original 2017 Regular Session Anders
Commends Mayther "Ray" Young, Charles "Buck" Vandersteen, and James Graugnard, Sr.,
for their induction into the Louisiana Agricultural Hall of Distinction.
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