Unions Welcome Nomination of Gov. Vilsack

US - President-elect Barack Obama plans to appoint former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary.
calendar icon 18 December 2008
clock icon 3 minute read

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"I think Gov. Vilsack is a great choice and I look forward to working with him. Being from Iowa, Gov. Vilsack has an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in rural America."
Tom Buis, National Farmers Union President

Statement made by NFU

National Farmers Union President Tom Buis said: “I think Gov. Vilsack is a great choice and I look forward to working with him. Being from Iowa, Gov. Vilsack has an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that exist in rural America."

“Rural America is facing many challenges – the farm and rural economy have changed dramatically for the worst over the last few months as a result of the worldwide economic recession, the rules for the 2008 Farm Bill have not been finalized nor implemented, more people are seeking food assistance, and commodity prices have fallen dramatically while farmer input costs remain high."

Mr Buis said while rural America faces many challenges, President-elect Obama has prioritized numerous opportunities, including reducing the nation’s dependence on foreign oil by advancing the development of renewable energy. He said, "Not only will this help our nation, it will help revitalize our rural communities. Wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, cellulosic, will all be produced in rural America."

“President-elect Obama’s rural vision is right on target.”


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"US pork producers look forward to working with him as he tackles issues of importance to the US hog industry, including trade agreements, animal identification, energy and environmental issues and livestock production matters."
Bryan Black, NPPC President

NPPC Congratulates Gov. Vilsack On Nomination

The National Pork Producers Council is also pleased about President-elect Obama's choice for USDA secretary.

“Tom Vilsack knows production agriculture and the pork industry and will make a good Secretary of Agriculture,” said NPPC President Bryan Black, a pork producer from Canal Winchester, Ohio. “US pork producers look forward to working with him as he tackles issues of importance to the US hog industry, including trade agreements, animal identification, energy and environmental issues and livestock production matters.”

First elected to the Iowa governorship in 1998, Gov. Vilsack won re-election in 2002; he chose not to seek a third term. Currently he is of counsel in the Des Moines, Iowa, office of the Minneapolis-based law firm Dorsey & Whitney.

Gov. Vilsack received a bachelor’s degree from Hamilton College in Clinton, New York, and his juris doctorate from Albany Law School in Albany, New York.

Gov. Vilsack’s nomination is expected to be considered by the US Senate when the 111th Congress convenes in January.

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