WASHINGTON, DC – During last week’s Trade Policy Fly-in, USA Rice took time out to honor two staff members for their unique contributions to global rice trade policy.
USA Rice International Trade Policy Committee Chair Bobby Hanks recognized Joel Hirst, senior foreign policy advisor to Senator Bill Cassidy, saying, “through his work in Senator Cassidy's office, Joel has been a consistent and reliable voice for Louisiana's farmers and for rice producers across the country. He understands what's at stake – not just in policy terms, but for the families and communities that depend on this crop.”
USA Rice President & CEO Peter Bachmann added that Joel has proven to be “the most engaged, creative, and aggressive Congressional staff member on rice trade issues he has known.”
“Joel, the rice industry doesn't take for granted the access, the advocacy, or the genuine partnership you've brought to this work,” Hanks said. “So, it gives me great pleasure to present you with the USA Rice Outstanding Congressional Staff Award for Exceptional Leadership and Dedication to U.S. Rice Trade as a small token of a very large appreciation to you.
Later in the day, USA Rice Chair Keith Glover celebrated George Galasso, national trade director for grains programs at the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
“For almost four decades George has been a student of, and advocate for, healthy government policies to support the U.S. grains industry, and especially rice,” Glover said.
Galasso was instrumental in helping U.S. rice gain access to foreign markets, including China and Iraq, and he and his team were often called on to help combat non-tariff barriers to trade in important markets like Turkey and Mexico.
“George played a key role in ensuring fair treatment for the United States through negotiations and agreement implementation in these and other markets,” Glover said. “George, on behalf of rice producers and millers across this country – thank you! I am honored to present you with the USA Rice Industry Award for Distinguished Contributions to the U.S. Rice Industry and Global Trade.”