Recognizing Mr. Clark D. Thomas

Floor Speech

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Mr. GRAVES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Mr. Clark D. Thomas, a special employee of the USDA Rural Development--Missouri State Office, who recently retired after many dedicated years of service.

Mr. Thomas was a remarkable civil servant for nearly six decades and deserves recognition for such an exemplary career in federal service. Clark began his federal service with the former Farmer's Home Administration on June 5, 1967. His federal service spanned 58 years, 3 months, and 25 days until his retirement on September 30, 2025. During his federal career, Clark served two years active duty in the Army as a First Lieutenant and was deployed to Vietnam. Upon returning from Vietnam, Clark continued his federal service at Farmer's Home Administration and then USDA Rural Development. During his tenure as a Program Director, a role he served in until his retirement in September 2025, Clark was responsible for more than 3,700 obligations totaling more than $2.4 billion in assistance to rural Missouri communities and businesses.

Over the course of Clark's 58 years of service to the state of Missouri, many changes have occurred, but his consistent dedication remained. From water programs to broadband deployment, Clark made sure rural communities had the infrastructure needed to thrive. The unwavering support Clark received from his wife, Donna, and his daughters, Tammy and Traci, was also instrumental in him achieving such a successful career.

Mr. Speaker, I proudly ask you to join me in recognizing Clark Thomas for his long tenure of service to the citizens of the State of Missouri, and in thanking him for being an outstanding public servant. I wish him all the best in his retirement.

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