Spud growers tab Hastings their top 2004 lawmaker
CUTLINE Congressman Doc Hastings (center) accepts first Congressman of the Year award from the American Potato Trade Alliance. From left: Dennis Conley from Basic American Foods; Mark Dunn, vice president of government affairs at JR Simplot; Pat Boss, executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission; Hastings; Lynn Olsen, Washington potato grower; Marthann Olsen, and Dave Long, former president of the National Potato Council board.
Potato industry names Hastings "Congressman of the Year"
Another year, another award for Richard "Doc" Hastings.
Hastings, a U.S. congressman from the state's 4th District, has been awarded the "Congressman of the Year" plaque by the American Potato Trade Alliance in a ceremony in Washington D.C. Tuesday.
Hastings said he was very honored to receive the award, calling the potato industry a very important part of the agricultural sector of the nation.
The Pasco Republican lawmaker said that since he grew up in central Washington, he has always been close to the agricultural industry.
"I have never been a farmer, but I have always had a great deal of respect for those in agriculture," he said, adding that it contributes a great deal to the country's economy.
Some of the issues related to agriculture currently being studied by Hastings and his colleagues in Capitol Hill include the opening of foreign markets and the designation of monies for research purposes such as the Prosser Research Station.
Calling himself a strong advocate for the opening of foreign markets, Hastings said that he had sponsored an increase in the funding for a market access programs. This is particularly pivotal for the potato industry, Hastings said, because it is thanks to type of funding that specialty crops such as potatoes can be marketed overseas.
Pat Boss, the executive director of the Washington State Potato Commission said Hastings had been a champion of the efforts of the potato industry.
"When we needed phone calls made or letters written, he has (helped us)" he said, mentioning messages to President George W. Bush on potato trade with Mexico and China, "He has traveled to foreign countries when we needed an issue raised to that magnitude," Boss added.
This is not the first time Hastings receives an award of this kind.
In 2003, the United Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Association presented him with a Congressional Leadership Award for his work to promote programs and policies supporting that industry.
"This is a national award," Boss said of the APTA award. "It's an honor that our local congressman won it."
Washington is the second largest potato-producing state in the nation, producing 20 percent of all U.S. potatoes.
Hastings said that though the potato growing trade has its ups and downs, this year the outlook for growers and producers is fairly positive.
"Our potato growers are working harder than ever," Hastings said on a press release. "They are producing world-class products."