Jerry 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.

Madam President, today, I want to recognize Clay Lacy, a Kansan whose distinguished career of dedication, innovation and service has made him one of the most accomplished and influential aviators in the history of American flight.

Clay Lacy grew up on a farm near Wichita--the Air Capital of the World--and from an early age, he knew he wanted to fly. Inspired by his grandmother and early aviation mentors, Clay pursued his passion with dedication. He learned to fly by the age of 12 and went on to earn his flight instructor certificate. In 1952, he joined United Airlines as a copilot. Just 1 year later, he joined the California Air National Guard, serving our Nation as a military aviator flying the F-86 Sabre fighter jet.

Over a career that spanned more than seven decades, Clay has accumulated more than 55,000 flight hours and flown hundreds of different aircraft. In addition to his service as a United Airlines captain and military aviator, Clay distinguished himself as a test pilot, air racer, and entrepreneur. In 1968, he founded Clay Lacy Aviation, the first executive jet management company on the West Coast, helping establish a new standard for business aviation.

Clay's spirit of innovation extended far beyond his work as a pilot. His passion for aviation inspired him to pioneer new techniques in aerial cinematography. Through Astrovision, an air-to-air camera system he developed, Clay revolutionized the way aircraft were filmed and photographed, contributing to some of the most iconic aviation imagery featured in motion pictures, television, and advertising.

Just as importantly, Clay has used his success to create opportunities for others. Through his philanthropy and the work of the Clay Lacy Foundation, he has supported aviation education and expanded educational opportunities for young people across the country.

Clay's extraordinary contributions to aviation have been recognized with numerous honors. In 2010, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, followed by his induction into the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011. He has also received the Federal Aviation Administration's Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, the United Airlines Historical Foundation's William S. Arnott Legacy Award, the National Business Aviation Association's Meritorious Service to Aviation Award, and many other distinguished honors.

On November 10, 2026, Clay will receive the Kansas Aviation Museum Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his storied career, his contributions to the aviation industry, and the lasting legacy of a Wichita-born aviator whose influence has reached around the globe. Clay Lacy has devoted his life to advancing the aviation industry he has loved and cherished since he was a young boy. His remarkable career reflects not only a passion for flight, but also a commitment to innovation, service, mentorship, and giving back to the next generation.

I thank Clay for his steadfast service to the aviation industry, our Nation, and the State of Kansas. His extraordinary contributions will continue to inspire generations of aviators and Kansans for years to come.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of morning business, with Senators permitted to speak therein for up to 10 minutes each.