REMEMBERING CHARLENE PATTON

On 2026-09-29, Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS) delivered a floor speech titled "REMEMBERING CHARLENE PATTON" in the Senate.

REMEMBERING CHARLENE PATTON

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 154 (Tuesday, September 29, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 154 (Tuesday, September 29, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S5160] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] REMEMBERING CHARLENE PATTON Mr. MORAN. Madam President, I rise today to honor Kansan Charlene Patton, a tireless advocate for American agriculture who passed away on September 20, 2026. As a U.S. Senator representing a farm State, I often find myself educating my colleagues and other officials in Washington, DC, about the vital role agriculture plays in our economy, our communities, and our tables. Agricultural advocacy is an important responsibility, and few Kansans fulfilled that mission more fully than Charlene Patton. As we mourn her passing, my thoughts are with her family, friends, colleagues, and the many Kansans whose lives she touched. For more than 50 years, Charlene dedicated her career to advancing nutrition education and promoting the critical role of agriculture. From her service with the Kansas Department of Agriculture to her work with the Kansas Soybean Commission and the Kansas Wheat Commission, she became one of Kansas agriculture's most recognizable and trusted voices. She shared her expertise through media appearances, educational programs, cookbooks, and her contribution in developing the ``From the Land of Kansas'' trademark program. Her morning segment, ``Cooking with Charlene,'' was viewed by many Kansans over the years. For more than five decades, her demonstrations aired on WIBW-TV, where she combined practical cooking advice with lessons about Kansas agriculture, helping viewers better understand the connection between the food on their tables and the farmers who produce it. Through her work and television appearances on WIBW-TV, KAKE-TV and KOAM-TV, she shared recipes, nutritional education and agricultural insights with audiences across the State. Her work brought Kansas agriculture into kitchens, making it relatable and accessible to generations of Kansans. Her passion for agriculture, food, and community service was rooted in her experience with 4-H. As both a member and later an adult volunteer serving Jefferson County, Shawnee County, and the State organization, she dedicated her time to help develop future generations of food and nutritional leaders. Charlene's legacy extends far beyond the recipes she shared or the programs she championed. She helped generations of Kansans better understand the value of Agriculture, encouraged healthy family meals, and helped increase appreciation for the hard-working producers who feed our Nation. On behalf of the U.S. Senate, I am grateful for Ms. Patton's lifetime of service, advocacy, and dedication to Kansas agriculture. Her contributions will continue to be felt through the communities she strengthened, the lives she touched, and the lasting impact she leaves on the State of Kansas. ____________________