Congressman Henry Cuellar Supports Agriculture Industry

CONGRESSMAN HENRY CUELLAR SUPPORTS AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY
January 3, 2006

"I am here to tell you that I will support the American farmer at all times," Congressman Henry Cuellar said when he addressed dozens of Texas farmers today at the annual meeting of the South Texas Cotton and Grain Association in San Antonio. Since 1963, the association has been a pioneer in efforts to increase awareness and promote legislation to represent local, state and national agricultural issues.

Congressman Cuellar, a consistent defender of legislation to benefit the agricultural sector in Texas, reviewed legislation affecting the agriculture industry in 2005 and discussed prospects for the coming year, "There will be a lot of significant legislative activity in the next six months and I will be paying close attention. We need to focus on completing a comprehensive plan that benefits everyone and doesn't single out industries such as agriculture."

2005 was a difficult year for the farm industry. Budget cuts amounted to over $3 billion in the next five years. As a member of the House budget and agriculture committees, Congressman Cuellar has consistently opposed cuts to American agriculture. Cuellar is optimistic about shaping the next Farm Bill to reward the savings of the previous bill by increasing agriculture spending. "All groups and sectors of agriculture can benefit from coming together to share their views and resolve their differences." Recognizing the importance of cooperation among agricultural organizations, the South Texas Cotton and Grain Association values the opportunity to meet every year.

John Maguire of the National Cotton Council and Dr. Jim Mazurkiewicz, director of the Texas Agriculture Lifetime Leadership (TALL) program at Texas A&M also spoke at the event.

http://www.house.gov/cuellar/pr2006/pr.01032006.html