Thanks Senator Harkin for Leadership

The American Soybean Association (ASA) congratulates Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) as the new Chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Senator Lincoln is the first woman and the first Arkansan to serve as Chair in the 184-year history of the Committee. ASA also thanks Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) for his leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee. Senator Harkin will remain an active member of the Agriculture Committee, but had to relinquish his position to become Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, following the death of Senator Edward Kennedy.

"Senator Lincoln has been a champion of a strong rural economy as key to our Nation’s prosperity," said Ted Glaub, ASA Board member and a soybean producer from Jonesboro, Arkansas. "ASA and soybean producers have worked very closely with Senator Lincoln on farm program and trade issues, biodiesel legislation, conservation programs, food aid, and a host of other priorities important to Arkansas and American soybean farmers. She really cares about the issues facing farmers, and has been an effective and tireless advocate on our behalf. Senator Lincoln is sometimes referred to as the "Energizer Bunny" because she works so hard on issues of importance to rural America and our state. She will be an effective Chair of the Senate Ag Committee, and we look forward to continuing to work closely with her," Glaub concluded.

ASA also recognized Senator Tom Harkin for his leadership of the Agriculture Committee. "Tom Harkin has been a true friend of soybean farmers and American agriculture," said ASA Chairman John Hoffman, a soybean producer from Waterloo, Iowa. "He led the Committee in crafting both the 2002 and 2008 farm bills, expanding voluntary conservation programs, supporting the expansion of renewable fuels, increasing food aid and market development, and a host of other efforts important to soybean farmers and all Americans. ASA is pleased that Senator Harkin will remain an active member of the Senate Ag Committee and we look forward to continuing to work closely with him," concluded Hoffman.

Senator Lincoln has been a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry since she was elected to the Senate in 1998. Senator Harkin has served on the Committee since he joined the Senate in 1985.