Texas Senator Cornyn Appointed to Ag Committee
July 29, 2009 By Shawn Wade
Plains Cotton Growers
The appointment of U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) to the Senate Agriculture Committee is good news to Texas farmers and ranchers facing an uncertain economic future threatened by drought, an extended worldwide economic slowdown and the uncertain potential impacts of pending climate change legislation.
Noting the importance of agriculture to the Texas economy in the statement announcing his appointment Cornyn said, “I look forward to serving on the Senate Agriculture Committee to advance Texas’ priorities and ensure our state’s agriculture industry continues to thrive.”
Plains Cotton Growers President Barry Evans, of Kress, TX, said that Senator Cornyn’s appointment couldn’t have come at a better time and that cotton producers are looking forward to Cornyn bringing his knowledge of agriculture issues as he heads for the Agriculture Committee.
“Having someone who understands the needs of rural America is critical as we go forward,” Evans said. “I think Senator Cornyn really works to understand that.”
Cornyn’s appointment will allow the Senator to take a more active role in formation of key policy initiatives impacting Texas and U.S. agriculture. In addition to his new seat on the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Cornyn will continue to hold seats on the Senate Finance, Budget and Judiciary Committees.
The fact that Texas agriculture is reeling from the devastating effects of declining world demand for agriculture commodities as well as the more immediate devastation wrought on a large portion of the state by drought gives the Senator an opportunity to hit the ground running.
Evans notes that High Plains cotton leaders are eager to help the Senator in any way they can to address the issues that face production agriculture. “Sitting on the Agriculture, Finance and Budget Committees puts him in the middle of the action on virtually every issue that impacts agriculture,” says Evans.
He concludes, “It has been some time since Texas has been represented in such a comprehensive way on the Agriculture Committee and we look forward to the opportunity to work closely with the Senator and his Washington and District staff on a more regular basis.”
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