USA Rice Federation Ready to Work with Ag Secretary Nominee, Johanns

WASHINGTON, December 2, 2004 — President Bush today nominated Nebraska Governor Mike Johanns to replace Ann M. Veneman as the U.S. Secretary of agriculture. Veneman, the first woman to serve as USDA Secretary, resigned her post Nov. 15.

“We look forward to working with Gov. Johanns on issues important to the rice industry and U.S. agriculture,” USA Rice Federation Chairman Lee Adams said. “It is important to our industry to have an agriculture secretary with a deep knowledge of farming and trade issues. We look forward to his leadership.”

Governor Johanns has led five delegations of Nebraska government, business and agriculture leaders on trade missions to eight countries including Japan, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Australia, Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Brazil and Chile, according to his official biography . He has also been a strong advocate for Nebraska agriculture producers during a period of depressed commodity prices and severe drought.

The president selected Gov. Johanns, 54, because his experience as chief executive of the fourth largest agricultural exporting state gives him deep insight into the needs of America’s agriculture community. According to the president, Gov. Johanns has a proven record of promoting rural economic development in Nebraska; he understands the importance of homeland security, particularly the need to keep our nation’s food supply secure; and he is a strong leader who has demonstrated that he is not afraid to make the tough choices.

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Contact: David Coia, dcoia@usarice.com