Bob demonstrated leadership and vision as he crafted and developed policy concerning property taxes. He spent hours in hearings and visiting with growers and grain dealers about bonding and warehousing. He carried bills and led discussions relating to commodity check-offs. Additionally, Bob ensured incentives were written in order to help younger farmers reach and maintain financial stability.
A month or so ago, I got a call from the always humble Bob Kremer asking if I would provide a tribute to him for this honor. I accepted in a second. Then I listened to Bob tell me that "he wasn't sure why they selected him" and "they must not have had any other people to nominate." After a few more helpings of Bob's "humble pie," I told him, "nothing could be further from the truth."
Bob, I am honored to be here tonight to share in this celebration of your commitment to agriculture and the contribution you have made to this industry and the many people who are proud to promote and preserve it in this state.
I couldn't help but notice that there are obvious similarities in tonight's inductees. Their family is important them and many have joined us tonight. Both have given many years of service to our state and their communities. As Cap mentioned earlier tonight, the three of us have been Ag Committee Chairs. He said between the three of us we have 16 consecutive years of leadership on the Ag Committee. I was chair for 2 years. Bob was chair for 4 years. So that leaves the rest for Cap. Of course, if either of them would have only been chairs for two years; they would still look young like me.
Cap, congratulations for your well-deserved recognition tonight.
I hope you have taken the time to read Bob's Biography in the program. I wrote it. That is not entirely true. Bob's wife Beverly wrote it. I just sent it in. But you don' t have to read it to know Bob Kremer.
Many of you already know him. You have seen Bob's unwavering character. You have experienced how he has treated you - with honesty and fairness. You have sat across. the table from him or maybe across the back of a pickup and learned a thing or two from him. But in case you hadn't read it, let me give you the highlights:
Bob Kremer is a farmer and cattle feeder near Aurora, in Hamilton County. Funny Story. I had actually seen Bob's operation before I had ever met Bob. I took a brief unguided tour his cattle feeding operation south of Aurora about two years before I met Bob. I had to share the pictures with him to prove it. ··
He has been active in agricultural and civic organizations at the county, state and national levels and has been recognized by many of them for his efforts.
Some of you know Bob as "Senator Kremer".
I remember one of the first times I sat down to visit with Senator Kremer in his office. I was a newly elected State Senator. I was happy to be there and was learning a lot. One of the things I learned early on was where to park and which "holding pen" - I mean hearing room - my staff and I would be in until the office assignments were handled. I ducked into Bob's office and noticed that he had his own parking sign that said "Reserved for Senator Kremer". I thought sweet, I have a $12,000 a year job with no benefits, no retirement, but a cool sign to park my car by. I asked where he got it. He quickly educated me I was not getting one and that wasn't even his, it was his dad' s - "Senator Kremer".
Bob served in the Legislature from 1999-2007 and was Chairman of the Ag Committee from 2003 to 2006. He demonstrated leadership and vision as he crafted and developed policy concerning property taxes. He spent many hours in hearings and visiting with growers and grain dealers about bonding and warehousing. He also carried bills and led the discussion as it related to commodity check-offs. Bob also had a passion for making sure beginning former incentives were the right ones to give young people a little help to get going. He participated on a trade mission to Japan with then Governor Johanns to help expand the market for Nebraska Ag products. Bob also served on the Legislature's Banking, Natural Resources, and Business and Labor Committees. ·
When you serve in the Nebraska Legislature with someone you get to know them, their family and see their commitment and talents first-hand. You also learn some habits. One that I always struggled with was getting my two cents in on an issue. Some of my former colleagues here tonight are nodding their heads. Others are shaking their heads because they remember one of those occasions. Once and a while, I would get some naïve colleague to yield me some time to make a point. Tonight, I was asked to yield a few minutes to a mutual friend and former Legislative colleague to share his congrats with Bob:
"While I regret not being there tonight, I do want to take a moment to heartily congratulate Senator Bob Kremer on his induction to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.
I've known Bob a long time, and he has never ceased to amaze me. I might even go so far to say they had Bob in mind when they came up with the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement.
He has been a tireless advocate not only for Nebraska agriculture, but for America's agriculture industry as a whole. I have always been impressed with his ability to look to the future while holding on to what makes Nebraska's way of life so great.
Bob, it was an honor to offer a few words on this special night. I can't wait to see what you are going to accomplish next.
Sincerely, Adrian Smith
Bob's service to agriculture and his community didn't start with becoming a member of the Legislature and it definitely didn't stop due to term limits. He continues to be actively involved in many agricultural and state issues. Bob is the Chairman of the Nebraska 25 x 25, a coalition focused on increasing the use renewable energy derived from agricultural sources. He also serves on the advisory board of the Nebraska Wind Energy Export Association. Bob's service is not just in agriculture though.
Bob is a man of faith. Bob and his family place a high value on involvement in church, community, and agricultural organizations as a way of serving God and others and making Nebraska a better place to live and work. Bob has been blessed in marriage with Beverly of 52 years. They have four children, 20 grandchildren, and 1 great granddaughter.
My wife Cortney and our family have been blessed to call Bob and Bev ''friends". I want to offer my personal thank you for all that you have done - not just for this industry and our state - but what you have taught me and for the example you have set.
