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Lincoin & Agriculturalists <br /> Will be given to an individual. <br /> Perhaps no single profession had a more lasting impact upon Abraham Lincoln than <br /> agriculture. From his very early childhood to the end of his life agriculture was a constant <br /> part. First, through his childhood and young adulthood on the farm, to his time as a grocer, to <br /> his law profession, and ultimately, as already described, during his presidency, agriculture <br /> was a continued strong influence in many of the life decisions that he made. This award will <br /> be for an individual agriculturalist who has demonstrated the same dedication and purpose to <br /> his/her professional life that so marked the dedication shown by Abraham Lincoln to the <br /> profession of agriculture and agri-business. <br /> Lincoln & Legislation <br /> Will be given to an individual or organization. <br /> Abraham Lincoln always kept the interests of agriculture foremost in his mind as a legislator. <br /> Even during the time he served as a state legislator in the Illinois General Assembly in the <br /> 1830's and early 1840's Abraham Lincoln was continually trying to make the necessary <br /> improvements for shipping and transportation of agricultural goods a top priority. This <br /> understanding of the needed legislation that would improve the business of agriculture <br /> culminated during his presidential administration when President Lincoln suggested, and <br /> Congress passed, legislation that established the United States Department of Agriculture. <br /> This act by the Congress and President Lincoln was so broadly conceived that it has <br /> remained the basic authority for the Department to the present time. This award will be for an <br /> individual legislator who has demonstrated the same dedication and purpose to his/her <br /> professional life that so marked the dedication shown by Abraham Lincoln to the profession <br /> of agriculture and agri-business. <br /> Award Statues: <br /> Each recipient will receive a numbered 23 inch high bronze statue created by John McClarey, <br /> a nafiionally-recognized sculptor of Abraham Lincoln. This sculptural work will depict Abraham <br /> Lincoln resting on a mound of dirt, holding a handful of soil, and contemplating what the <br /> potential holds forth from the earth and of its future possibilities. The statue award ownership <br /> will be held by the City of Decatur <br /> Criteria for Selection: <br /> The selection criteria of recipients will include the following. <br /> 1. Notability in the award field <br /> 2. Positive achievements <br /> 3. Far reaching effects of recognized work <br />