{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-grassley-lead-resolution-honoring-iowan-ray-gaesser", "Ernst, Grassley Lead Resolution Honoring Iowan Ray Gaesser", "2026-09-25", "2026", "2026-09", "Republican", "Senate", "IA", "Joni Ernst", "E000295", "www.ernst.senate.gov", "ernst", "https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Senators Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are leading the Ray Gaesser Memorial Farm Safety Week resolution to honor the life and legacy of Ray Gaesser. Gaesser was from Corning, Iowa, and a leading advocate for farmers. He tragically passed away on September 5, 2026, following a farming accident.\n\nThe resolution designates the week of September 21, 2026, as \u201cRay Gaesser Memorial Farm Safety Week\u201d to raise awareness about farm safety and honor Gaesser\u2019s lifelong commitment to Iowa\u2019s agricultural community. In the U.S., approximately 160 agricultural workers are injured every day while nearly 400 agricultural workers die each year as a result of farm-related accidents.\n\n\u201cRay Gaesser embodied the very best of Iowa agriculture\u2014a hardworking farmer, a strong advocate for our producers, and a friend to so many across our state,\u201d said Sen. Ernst. \u201cHis tragic passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the dangers our farmers face every day while working to feed and fuel the world. As we honor Ray\u2019s remarkable life and legacy, I encourage every farmer to look out for one another and make safety a priority.\u201d\n\n\u201cRay Gaesser was a friend, a family man, a farmer and a proud Iowan. His tireless advocacy for agriculture brought him on trade missions around the world and into high level meetings across the country,\u201d said Sen. Grassley. \u201cBy introducing our National Farm Safety and Health Week resolution in his name, we can honor his memory, raise awareness about the dangers family farmers face and promote education to prevent future tragedies.\u201d\n\nThe resolution was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Congressman Zach Nunn (R-Iowa) and has been cosponsored by the entire Iowa delegation.\n\n\u201cRay Gaesser spent his life doing what he loved: farming, fighting for agriculture, and helping the next generation of producers continue Iowa\u2019s oldest tradition,\u201d said Rep. Nunn. \u201cRay was a trusted friend and advisor whose impact reached far beyond his own farm. We owe it to him, his wife Elaine, and every American farmer to honor his legacy and make sure every producer gets home safe this harvest.\u201d\n\n\u201cRay was a tireless champion for Iowa\u2019s farmers and a devoted steward of the land he loved,\u201d said Rep. Miller-Meeks. \u201cHis life was defined by his service to agriculture and his commitment to the farming community. We honor his memory by carrying forward his legacy and renewing our commitment to keeping our farmers and families safe. My thoughts and prayers are with Ray\u2019s family and loved ones.\u201d\n\n\u201cI\u2019m heartbroken that my friend and one of the most amazing Iowans I know, Ray Gaesser, is no longer with us. He put his heart and soul into advocating for Iowa agriculture and family farms. There was no stronger voice for farmers and agriculture,\u201d said Rep. Hinson. \u201cRay will be missed by so many who loved and knew him, and I\u2019m proud to join the Iowa delegation in introducing this resolution honoring his life and the contributions he made. My prayers continue to be with his wonderful wife, Elaine, and his entire family as we grieve this immense loss for Iowa.\u201d\n\n\u201cRay Gaesser represented the very best of Iowa agriculture. He was a dedicated farmer, respected leader, and tireless advocate for our producers who devoted his life to strengthening agriculture and leaving the land better for the next generation. His tragic passing is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks that farmers and their families face every day,\u201d said Rep. Feenstra. \u201cDuring National Farm Safety Week, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing this resolution to honor Ray\u2019s remarkable life and legacy while reaffirming our commitment to keeping our farmers, families, and rural communities safe. My prayers remain with Elaine, Chris, Jennifer, and the entire Gaesser family.\u201d\n\nRead the resolution here.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-26T09:43:57Z", "2026-09-26T09:44:55Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.ernst.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ernst-grassley-lead-resolution-honoring-iowan-ray-gaesser"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.364022959023714, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}