Congressional Wheat Leaders Announced

Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.) was recently presented with the 2006 Wheat Leader of the Year Award, the highest honor given by the wheat industry.  The Wheat Leader of the Year Award is given annually by the NAWG and U.S. Wheat. It is given to one Member of Congress of any party based on their demonstrated commitment to the well-being and goals of the wheat industry.

Senators receiving the 2006 Wheat Advocate Award are Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.); Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.); Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.); and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-Neb.). House Members receiving the 2006 Wheat Advocate Award are Rep. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.); Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas); and Rep. Nydia Velasquez (D-N.Y.).  The Wheat Advocate Award is given annually by NAWG to a select number of Members of any party who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm.

The Friend of Wheat Award is also given annually by NAWG for superior action in support of the goals and policies of the wheat industry. This award is given to congressional and administrative staff members who have demonstrated support for the wheat industry above and beyond the norm.

The 2006 Friend of Wheat Awards go to:

• Aleta Botts, Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D)
• Jennifer Owen, then-Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.)
• Grant Leslie, Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.)
• Justin Rone, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson (R-Mo.)
• Ryan Stroschein, Rep. Stephanie Herseth (D-S.D.)
• Jeremy Bratt, Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.)
• Craig Jagger, then-House Agriculture Committee Majority Staff
• Anne Simmons, then-House Agriculture Committee Minority Staff

NAWG also gives Certificates of Appreciation to Members who voted with NAWG on key votes 100 percent of the time. Voting scorecards based on NAWG’s policy priorities are available at: www.wheatworld.org/pdf/Senate%20109%202ND%20SESSION.pdf and www.wheatworld.org/pdf/109th%202nd%20Session%20House%20Final.pdf.