1994 Paul Henry Sindt

I. Introduction
A. Thank you, Harold Stevens. And thanks to all of you Inductees, Honorees, Members and guests of the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement. You flatter me with the opportunity to offer a few observations and declarations before a crowd of people I admire as much as you, and I will try not to abuse your generosity with my verbosity.

Teachers, researchers, bankers, producers, legislators ... Knowing the quality of intellect in the room this evening, I am called to the observation of Alben Barkley who said, "the best audience is intelligent, well-educated and ... a little drunk!" Now, the stringent regulations governing the use of this center pretty well preclude that third qualification, and I fear I am left with a dangerous two-out-of-three!

B. Nonsense aside, I am honored to come before this crowd assembled to celebrate great achievement in agriculture and celebrate, we should. Our humility too often leads to our obscurity, so I declare unabashedly as I begin these remarks that we're here to brag about two great people in Nebraska agriculture whose contributions have enhanced the quality of life for every person in this 77,000-square-mile realm on the High Plains. Robert O. Gingery and Paul H. Sindt clearly warrant our acclaim; they've not asked for it, they've earned it and surely, we should together recognize their achievements with our joyful and enthusiastic celebration.

C. My mission over the next few minutes will be twofold:

1. To share highlights from the unique personal histories of Bob and Paul - whence they come, what they've done, and perhaps a peek at why they reached so often beyond the borders of "good enough;" and,

2. To say a few words about why I think their achievements are so important to us in 1994.

II. Discussion
A. I begin in alphabetical order with Robert O. "Bob" Gingery. Agriculture, in its many dimensions, has truly been a centerpiece in the life of Bob Gingery. Bob was raised in the rural Nebraska community of Filley then earned both Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Nebraska. Following military service, Bob began his career in agriculture as an instructor of vocational agriculture in Sargent and, later, David City, Nebraska. In 1952, he made what would be an enduring change of course in his career when he entered the world of agribusiness with the David City Hatchery and Fertilizer Company. After nine years with this enterprise, Bob became a fertilizer and ag chemical salesman with Consumers Coop Association, later to become Farmland Industries, Inc. Bob's association with Farmland saw his rise through sales and management positions in David City, Lincoln and Kansas City, culminating in his appointment as Division General Manager and a return to division headquarters in Lincoln in 1977. Bob retired from Farmland Industries in 1982.

Far beyond his professional responsibilities, Bob devoted much of his volunteer time to agriculture and its associated communities. To name only a few from literally pages of organizations and activities, Bob was involved with school and church boards, Rotary International, the Nebraska Fertilizer Institute, Ag Builders of Nebraska which he recently served as president, the Ag 40 Group, the Nebraska Agribusiness Club, the Nebraska Council on Public Relations for Agriculture, the Nebraska Cooperative Council, Capitol City Kiwanis, the College of Agriculture Alumni Association, the Nebraska Agriculture Leadership Council, and the Agriculture 2001 Committee.

Bob has been frequently honored for his achievements in service to Nebraska agriculture. Our time this evening allows me only to touch highlights which include: The Future Farmers of America Chapter of David City award for service to the chapter and development of FFA in the community, the Butler County Achievement Award for distinguished service to Butler County agriculture, the Friends of Agriculture and Cooperatives in Nebraska Award, the Nebraska Agribusiness Club award for Public Service to Agriculture, the University of Nebraska Ag Alumnus of the Year Award, the Capital City Kiwanis Outstanding Leadership Award, and the Kiwanis International Distinguished Lieutenant Governor Award.

Bob Gingery has applied his extraordinary brand of leadership in many, many groups, organizations, and associations associated with agriculture, but his influence is perhaps seen in its most powerful context in the words of one individual. A former student of Bob's, Dr. Robert D. Glock, Director of Diagnostic Laboratories at Colorado State University's College of Veterinary Medicine writes in his letter of congratulations, "... I can't think of anyone who had more influence on my philosophy and my enthusiasm for what I do for a living than Mr. Gingery. I'm also sure that I'm only one of many whose lives have been positively affected by the nurturing (he) provided as we were maturing.... Congratulations to a very deserving individual."

Bob will have the opportunity to introduce his family in attendance a little later, but his wife Alice is here at the head table with him, and I would ask you to join me in a preliminary round of applause for Bob and Alice Gingery.

B. I turn now to another of Nebraska's long-serving agricultural leaders, Paul H. Sindt. Paul's trail covers many leadership roles that have helped to set a course for Nebraska and American agriculture, but his roots have always remained firmly bedded in Nebraska's rich farming soil. Paul's grandfather started farming near Naponee in Franklin County in 1896, and the Sindt family farm was both the source of Paul's first understanding of agriculture as well the abiding object of his love for this unique, life-sustaining business. Following graduation from the University of Nebraska with a degree in agriculture, Paul first applied his technical knowledge and leadership skills as a county agent in York County, Nebraska. World War II intervened in his career path, but he returned immediately to his agricultural interests by joining his father in their farming operation in 1946. Never satisfied to watch important needs left unmet in his community, however, Paul also assisted in teaching veterans in the on-farm training program in the Franklin Public Schools for four years. Cementing his relationship with production agriculture and his farming heritage, Paul bought the family operation from his father in 1960.

In 1970, Paul's interest in the larger picture of agriculture and the factors influencing its direction led him to service in the public sector. He was appointed District Director of the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service of the USDA, a role in which he served for two years before his horizon broadened once again. At that time, Paul moved to statewide responsibility with his appointment as Executive Director of ASCS for Nebraska, where he served until 1977. Then, Washington called, and Paul moved to the national arena where he continued to serve ASCS as Assistant to the Deputy Administrator until his retirement and return to Nebraska in 1982.

Paul has given freely of his extraordinary leadership talents to many community and agricultural organizations. An abbreviated list highlights local school boards, including service as president of the Franklin County School Reorganization Committee, Farm Bureau, county and Nebraska Livestock Feeders associations, the Nebraska Agribusiness Club, Ag Builders of Nebraska which he served as a key officer, the UNL College of Agriculture Advisory Committee, the Nebraska Council on Public Relations for Agriculture, the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, Sesostris Shrine and his local church.

Among numerous awards, Paul was honored by agricultural youth with an Honorary Chapter Farmer degree from the FFA, and more recently, his leadership was acknowledged by his peers with the Public Service to Agriculture Award presented by the Nebraska Agribusiness Club. Though no medals were awarded, surely Paul won the respect and appreciation of everyone related to the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources when he led the effort to win state funding for renovation of greenhouses on East Campus, thus diverting what could have become a full-scale crisis for agricultural research efforts.

Leadership and productivity have described every role in Paul's lifelong association with Nebraska agriculture, confirmed in a letter of recommendation from Dean Elvin Frolik. Dean Frolik observes, "Paul Sindt has been for many years and continues to be a very active and effective leader in Nebraska agriculture." Enough said. Paul, too, has family here he will want to introduce in a few moments, but I will take the privilege of introducing his wife Irene and ask you to join me in a round of applause for them as we acknowledge Paul's achievements.

C. Now, as you've given me temporary ownership of this podium, I'd like to consider briefly, "Why is it important that we honor Bob Gingery and Paul Sindt on this cold spring evening of 1994? Is there value in this commemoration beyond making them feel good and sharing a nice meal with our friends?'' I suggest there is if we will stop to recognize the lessons these two great leaders have attempted to teach us with their accomplishments. Scarcely a person in this room tonight has not been helped, encouraged, guided, and strengthened by one or both of our honorees. If that privilege has escaped you, it is only because your paths haven't yet crossed.

So, I will take the license of this podium to offer my "Top 10 Lessons from Bob and Paul'', and I would guess you will have others to add to the list. I believe they've taught us:
1. To be bold in expressing our deepest held values and beliefs through both word and, more importantly, deed.
2. To encourage people to do the right thing, rather than just pointing out flaws.
3. To lead by both example and exhortation.
4. To be persistent, persistent, persistent in pursuing worthwhile objectives.
5. To find those things you love to do, do them well, and never stop looking for ways to do them in service to others.
6. To work vigorously for those things worth working for.
7. To leave the nastiness to others while investing your precious time and resources into more productive behavior.
8. To never miss an opportunity to encourage someone whose talents may be yet undiscovered.
9. To ignore the critics and skeptics when pressing toward achievement of a worthy goal. 10. To speak volumes about doing what's right without ever opening your mouth.
III. Conclusion

A. Bob Gingery and Paul Sindt have made life's work out of taking responsibility for those things that should be done, not just those things that must be done. That sense of citizen responsibility was referenced by President Kennedy when he said, "This nation was not founded solely on the principle of citizen rights. Equally important - though not often discussed - is the citizen's responsibility. For our privilege can be no greater than our obligation. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibilities."

These men have demonstrated the finest form of citizenship in grasping not just what they perceived to be their rights, but also embracing their responsibilities with full vigor and affection. May we do likewise in a world far short of citizens in the model of Paul H. Sindt and Robert O. Gingery.

B. They have done much, asked little and we join tonight to acknowledge their extraordinary service, and say "Thanks, gentlemen, thanks for all you've done."

C. Mr. President, would you now present these honorees with their proper tokens of our esteem?