Ohio lawmakers honored The "Friend of Farm Bureau" award is given each session of Congress to lawmakers who have done a good job of representing the interests of Farm Bureau members. The award is based upon voting records on American Farm Bureau's priority issues; the number of bills that a member has sponsored and co-sponsored; his or her specific leadership role for Farm Bureau on priority issues and how accessible and responsive the lawmaker is to Farm Bureau members and leaders. Congressmen are nominated by their respective state Farm Bureau and approved by the AFBF Board of Directors. "Ohio is blessed to have a lot of people who represent agriculture well," said Keith Stimpert, OFBF’s vice president of government affairs. Both Ohio senators, Mike DeWine and George Voinovich, received the award for their work during the 107th Congress. Ohio’s 11 award recipients from the House of Representatives are John Boehner, Steve Chabot, Paul Gillmor, David Hobson, Steve LaTourette, Bob Ney, Mike Oxley, Rob Portman, Deb Pryce, Ralph Regula and Pat Tiberi. The priority issues of the past session were varied, according to Stimpert. Among the key items were the elimination of estate taxes, trade promotion authority and the farm bill. Cutline: Pictured l to r: Gloria Wentling, Stark County president; Dan Eichelberger, Ashland County president; Congressman Ralph Regula; Debbie Indoe, Medina County president; Jack Fisher, executive vice president, OFBF; Dave Dotterer, Wayne County president. | |