News Releases for November 2005
November 4, 2005
For further information, please Contact the Governor's Office
Hoeven, Farmers To Lobby Washington For Disaster Aid, Farm Bill, Fair Trade
BISMARCK, N.D. – Gov. John Hoeven and a delegation of North Dakota farm organizations are organizing and leading a special delegation to lobby Congress next week for disaster relief, a strong Farm Bill and fair trade, including continued funding for agriculture programs in the face of international trade negotiations.
"We are facing a range of issues critical to North Dakota farmers and ranchers, both immediate and long term," Hoeven said. "Disaster assistance in the short term, and maintaining a solid farm bill and fair trade in the long term are crucial to ensure the ongoing success of our producers, and we intend to press those points aggressively."
The effort will focus on meeting with high level Administration officials as well as a number of House and Senate members and staff. Hoeven has arranged meetings for the group with Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Chuck Conner; Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee Saxby Chambliss; and Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee Congressman Bob Goodlatte. The goal is to meet with at least 50 offices in the 3 day effort.
When: November 8-10, 2005
Where: Washington, D.C.
The delegation is organized and led by Hoeven, North Dakota Grain Growers Association President Terry Wanzek, and U.S. Durum Growers Association President Dennis Wunderlich.
Other members of the delegation include:
- ND State Senator and Vice-chair of the Agriculture Committee Robert Erbele
- North Dakota Farm Bureau President Eric Aasmundstad
- Independent Community Bankers of North Dakota Past-President Nancy Baerwald,
- Minnesota Association of Wheat Growers President Richard Maggnusson
- 13 North Dakota and Minnesota farmers in a joint effort to demonstrate to Congress the impact weather and energy prices have had on agriculture in 2005.
Hoeven, Wanzek and Wunderlich are available for interviews before the group departs to Washington, DC. on Nov. 8.
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