Texas Wheat presents awards to Texas congressmen, staff
The Texas Wheat Producers Association staff presented awards from the National Association of Wheat Growers to Congressmen Mike Conaway and Ted Poe and congressional staff members Matt Schertz, Trevor White and Jett Thompson.
Conaway was chosen as a recipient of the Wheat Advocate Award for his role as chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. Conaway serves as the representative for the eleventh district of Texas, which is the third-largest wheat district in the state. He is also a deputy Republican whip and a member of the House Armed Services Committee and Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Conaway has been responsive to the needs of farmers and held open dialogue with agriculture groups in farm bill discussions.
Congressman Ted Poe received the Wheat Advocate Award for his work on beneficial trade policies. Poe represents the second district of Texas, which surrounds the Houston metroplex. He served as a criminal court judge in Houston for 22 years before being elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2004, where he now sits on the House Judiciary Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee as chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade. He has been a leader on advancing trade with Cuba and relied on wheat producers to help him further his efforts.
“Congressman Poe has announced his retirement this year and we think it is fitting for him to receive this award for his many years of service to wheat producers through his advocacy for beneficial trade policies,” said Jody Bellah, president of the Texas Wheat Producers Association.
The TWPA staff presented Matt Schertz, Trevor White and Jett Thompson with the Friend of Wheat Award. Schertz and White serve as professional staff members for the House Committee on Agriculture. Both individuals were recognized for their efforts to meet the needs of wheat farmers in the development of a new farm bill. Thompson is the legislative director for Congressman Sam Johnson, TX-3, and was acknowledged for his willingness to work with wheat growers on policy issues.
“As we enter the next farm bill cycle, we are especially appreciative of staff who are well informed and actively seek input from farmers,” said Bellah.
The congressional leadership awards are given annually by NAWG to members of Congress and staff, regardless of party affiliation, whose philosophy and records demonstrate their commitment to the well-being of America’s wheat farmers. The TWPA staff and board members made visits to Capitol Hill in conjunction with the NAWG winter board meeting.
The Texas Wheat Producers Association is a voluntary membership organization of wheat producers in Texas. The association provides growers a concentrated, organized voice in political matters affecting the production and marketing of their crops. For more information, visit http://www.texaswheat.org.
