GFB members visit Georgia delegation in Washington, D.C.

by Jennifer Whittaker, Editor

Pictured from left, GFB members Robert Fountain, Jr., Ginger Miller, H.L.and Marian Page are shown meeting with House Ag Committee member Rep. Max Burns along with M.L. Miller and Ben Boyd.

Georgia Farm Bureau leaders discussed issues affecting their farms when they traveled to Washington, D.C., May 3-6, to meet with members of Georgia’s congressional delegation.

Permanent repeal of the estate tax, the pending national animal identification system, farm labor reform, the tobacco quota buyout and country of origin labeling were the main issues discussed.

“I appreciate our county leaders taking the time to travel to Washington to meet with their elected officials,” Georgia Farm Bureau President Wayne Dollar, said. “I really feel like our members do a tremendous job by being here. I really feel like our elected officials listen.”

Pictured from left, House Agriculture Committee member Rep. Jim Marshall, is shown meeting with Gennis Folsom, Robert Fountain, Jr. and William L. Lanier during a meeting in Marshall’s office.

Sens. Zell Miller and Saxby Chambliss visited with GFB members while attending the annual Varsity Luncheon held May 4. Both Miller and Chambliss expressed doubts that Congress would pass legislation authorizing a buyout of tobacco quota before the session ends.

“I continue almost daily to see if we can get a buyout. I’m for it whether you have FDA involved or not,” Miller said. “Honestly, I don’t expect much to be accomplished this session. There’s too much politics going on.”

Speaking at a GFB dinner the next evening, Chambliss concurred, saying, “It’s going to be difficult to move any legislation this year. I’m not in favor of a buyout attached to FDA, but if that’s what it takes. I don’t have great hopes that we’ll get that issue settled this year.”

Reps. Sanford Bishop, Mac Collins, Johnny Isakson and Jack Kingston also addressed the GFB group during the dinner held in honor of the congressional delegation.

GFB President Wayne Dollar, Sen. Zell Miller and Sen. Saxby Chambliss share a laugh during the Varsity Luncheon.

“We’re trying to make sure we have enough water in southeast Georgia, so we’ve funded research dollars to figure out how to best use irrigation equipment to maximize water,” Kingston said.

Both Kingston and Bishop serve on the House Appropriations Committee.

“When ag research and farm programs are being discussed I’m happy to be at the table,” Bishop

House Agriculture Committee members Reps. Max Burns, Jim Marshall and David Scott each met with Farm Bureau members during meetings in their offices on May 4. All three expressed their support of Farm Bureau's goal of permanently repealing the estate tax.

Rep. David Scott reminisced about his childhood experiences on his grandparents’ farm with GFB members. Pictured with Scott are from left, Harmon and Cloteel Dawson, Brent Galloway, Betty Sue and James Emory Tate, Rep. Scott, Jimmy Moncrief, Collis McQueen, Tom Kerlin, Jerry Davis, Earnest McQueen, Ross and Carol McQueen.

“Estate taxes are the worst form of taxation,” Congressman Scott told the group.

Marshall encouraged the GFB members to stay in touch with his office. “As you see problems let me know. I can’t help you unless you let me know what you need,” Marshall said.

While discussing trade issues, Burns said he wants the United States to maintain the “ability to get our products to worldwide markets and not give up current markets. Our problem is with countries like Brazil who want to claim to be developing countries but are as advanced as we are in some commodities such as cotton.”

A number of the Georgia Farm Bureau group also had the opportunity to tour the new consolidated American Farm Bureau headquarters in Washington prior to visiting Capitol Hill. In trhe past year, American Farm Bureau has closed its Park Ridge, IL office and transferred most staff and functions to the Washington office.