As we sit down at the table with family and friends this holiday season, let us remember to extend our gratitude to the farmers and ranchers who sustain our lives. It is these producers who rise every day to wrestle a host of challenges so that we may find our grocery stores fully stocked.
These dedicated men and women who make it their life’s work to feed and clothe our nation generate an economic impact of more than $100 billion each year for the Lone Star State’s economy. Agriculture also supports one in seven Texas jobs and has earned Texas the distinction of being the nation’s leader in cattle, cotton, hay, sheep, wool, goat, mohair and horse production.
Here in Texas, we are additionally thankful for a milder climate than we had last year. The historic 2011 drought and wildfires will not soon be forgotten, but it also could not leave us broken beyond repair. As the heavens granted us a little more rain and cooler temperatures, our farmers and ranchers have risen to rebuild. Their bounty is yet another of our many shared blessings.
As you wander the aisles of your neighborhood grocery store this holiday season, stop and think for a moment how the fresh produce, quality meats, dairy products and canned goods made their way to the shelves. And as you sit down for a holiday meal this Thanksgiving, remember to tip your hat to Texas farmers and ranchers who bring you the food that feeds your family and enriches your lives.
We know challenges and adversity may be potholes in the road ahead, but this Thanksgiving we are grateful for our ranchers, farmers, friends, families and God’s good grace.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Friday, November 16, 2012
Clemon Montgomery, a Friend of Texas Agriculture
Clemon Montgomery, a dear friend of
Texas agriculture and the Lone Star State, passed away yesterday leaving behind
a legacy of service that immeasurably improved our great state.
Clemon was an inspiration to me,
personally, and made an impact on my life and career. His dedication and
commitment to Texas is a model for my generation and for generations to come. A
graduate of Sam Houston State University who also attended graduate school at
Texas Tech University, Clemon served 10 years as Chief Deputy to the Texas
Commissioner of Agriculture. He also served on numerous boards and was a true
champion of Future Farmers of America where his knowledge, care and enthusiasm
helped shape the lives of countless young agriculturists.
Clemon’s numerous recognitions and
professional accolades include the first-ever FFA Hall of Fame Award and the
award of Outstanding Achievements in Agriculture, presented by the Texas Senate
and House of Representatives.
People like Clemon are individually
unique in their contagious passion. For Clemon, a job was not work, but rather
a labor of love from which we all stand to benefit for generations to come. My
prayers, thoughts and thanks go out to Clemon’s wife, Carolyn, and their sons.
Your loved one left Texas a much better state.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Californians Are Welcome To Eat Meat In Texas
Reason No. 1,001 to move from California to Texas: We will
cook you up a great steak on Mondays as well as the other six days of the week.
Not surprisingly, politicians in Los Angeles have done it again. The L.A. City Council has declared every Monday to be a so-called “Meatless Monday,” in which residents are encouraged to voluntarily abstain from eating meat.
Let’s revisit the facts. Research shows the healthiest diets include moderate portions of nutrient-rich meat and poultry. Contrary to “Meatless Monday” campaign claims, beef is both environmentally and nutritionally efficient. Cattle production requires less land, water and energy than in the past, and it provides 10 essential nutrients to your diet.
Of course, Americans should be eating more fruits and vegetables, but the key to healthy eating is a balanced diet that includes all the basic food groups. The fact of the matter is meat helps build a healthy body and its production and consumption contribute to our economy. Texas leads the nation in beef production thanks to our hardworking cattle producers who contribute $14.9 billion annually to our state’s economy.
If you ask me, leaders in California should be focused on serving up jobs rather than telling residents what to eat for dinner. Oh, and speaking of jobs reminds me of reason No. 1,002 to move from California to Texas: Texas is projected to grow at a rate of 1,500 people per day this decade. Now, that’s a lot of steak eaters, homebuyers and overall consumers ... all of which make for a good recipe!
Not surprisingly, politicians in Los Angeles have done it again. The L.A. City Council has declared every Monday to be a so-called “Meatless Monday,” in which residents are encouraged to voluntarily abstain from eating meat.
Let’s revisit the facts. Research shows the healthiest diets include moderate portions of nutrient-rich meat and poultry. Contrary to “Meatless Monday” campaign claims, beef is both environmentally and nutritionally efficient. Cattle production requires less land, water and energy than in the past, and it provides 10 essential nutrients to your diet.
Of course, Americans should be eating more fruits and vegetables, but the key to healthy eating is a balanced diet that includes all the basic food groups. The fact of the matter is meat helps build a healthy body and its production and consumption contribute to our economy. Texas leads the nation in beef production thanks to our hardworking cattle producers who contribute $14.9 billion annually to our state’s economy.
If you ask me, leaders in California should be focused on serving up jobs rather than telling residents what to eat for dinner. Oh, and speaking of jobs reminds me of reason No. 1,002 to move from California to Texas: Texas is projected to grow at a rate of 1,500 people per day this decade. Now, that’s a lot of steak eaters, homebuyers and overall consumers ... all of which make for a good recipe!
Friday, November 9, 2012
Honoring Service and Sacrifice on Veterans Day
On Veterans Day, we not only thank our soldiers for their battlefield bravery, but also for the many times duty required them to be apart from their families. We thank the husband or sister who braved a hostile enemy while loved ones gathered for a birthday party. We thank the brother or daughter who missed a home-cooked meal at Christmas so we could celebrate in peace. We thank the moms and dads in uniform who struggle to stay strong knowing their children back home will ask for them at bedtime.
To the troops who return home with physical challenges and troubled reminders, we pray for your recovery and inner peace. We wish you the same inner strength today that you relied on while serving. And although Veterans Day is directed at the men and women who’ve worn the uniform, we must also thank the families who love and support them. It is your prayers, letters and phone calls that help keep our soldiers going. It is your ability to tend to home and family that provide hope for a better day.
Below are some of the courageous men and women who know the sacrifices of service. To these men and women − and their families and fellow comrades − I say thank you for granting us the freedoms we enjoy each and every day, and for protecting us from those who wish us harm.
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| Frankie L. Wendel, PFC, US Army 1942-45, Cayuga, TX. (Commissioner Staples' Father-in-Law) |
Your service makes me humble and proud.
Please take time today to thank a veteran for your blessings of freedom, and may God continue to watch over our troops, their families and the United States of America. Land of the Free. Home of the Brave.
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| James L. Reed, PFC, US Army 1944-45, Dallas, TX. (Purple Heart) |
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| Charles W. Prater, SGT FC, US Army 1945-55, Dallas, TX. (Bronze Star) |
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Tony Purcell, CPT, U.S. Army
1966-71. |
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Donald G. Glessner, LTC, USAF (Ret.)
1967-87, San Antonio, TX
|
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George F. Glessner, LT(JG)
US Navy,1944-46, Darby, PA
|
.jpg) |
| Alison Batig, MAJ, US Army 1999-present, Tuscon, AZ |
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Stephen A. McGovern, Wagoner,
US Army
1918-1919, Phil, PA
|
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| Jon Garza, SGT, US Army (center) |
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Arthur J. Dembik, PFC, US Army
1944-45, Buffalo, NY
|
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| Anthony White, SSgt., USMC 2000-present, El Paso, TX |
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| Jerry L. Starkey, OSCS (E8) US Navy 1956-85, Dallas, TX. (Navy Achievement Medal) |
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Ed Donahue, U.S. Navy
1943-45, Chicago, IL |
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| Barry McCaffrey, General (Ret), US Army 1964-96, Taunton, MA |
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| Ronnie L. McKinney, SGT (E5) US Army 1966-68. Dallas, TX. |
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| James Pollard, PO1, US Navy, 1990-2002, Buda TX (back row, far left) |
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G.Paul Tuttle, Pvt. US Army
1918-19, Fredonia, KS
|
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| O.E. (Bob) Morriss, Cpl, USMC 1943-1946, Bentley, KS |
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| Ira A. Morriss, Sgt, USMC, 1954-57, Coyville, KS |
.jpg) |
| Gene Paul Tuttle, Pvt, Army Air Corp. 1942-43, Fredonia, KS |
.jpg) |
| Gideon Wells Tuttle, Army, Thayer, Kansas |
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| Burney LaChance, Lt Col (Ret) USAF 1986-2011, Austin, TX |
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| Jeremiah Salame, Maj, USMC 1998-present, San Antonio, TX |
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| Cynthia A. Miller, PO3, US Navy 1983-87, Austin TX |
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| John M. Lewis, SSG (P) US Army 1992-present, Smithville, TX |
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| Jessie Bettis, PO3, US Navy 1988-93, Waco TX |
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Bill Hoppe, Lt Col (Ret),
USAF 1974-98,
Nacogdoches, TX
|
.jpg) |
| Tim Batig, MAJ, US Army, 2000-present, Houston, TX |
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| Gerhard Lundquist, US Army 1965-67, Seattle, WA |
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| Shannon Lundquist, PO3, US Navy 1988-93, San Benito, TX. (Two Navy Achievement Medals) |
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| Earl Lundquist, E3, US Navy 1988-92, Seattle, WA |
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| Brian Zink, US Navy 1989-92, San Jose, CA |
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| Rodney W. Lewis, SSG (P) US Army 1974-85, Smithville, TX |
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Troy S. Watson, SSgt,
USMC,1951-54, Denton TX |
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Juan Rodriguez, PFC, US Army
(Purple Heart) |
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| John Gibson, SPC, US Army 1977-85 |
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John A. Tuley, Lt Col, US Air Force
1980-2001, Austin, TX
|
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| David B. Brown, Sgt USAF Reserve 1988-93, Austin, TX |
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| Charles Bowman, SGT, medic 25th Infantry, Beaumont, TX. (Four Purple Hearts, Bronze Star pictured below)  |
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| Lora L. Lewis, SPC4, US Army, 1975-77 Magnolia, OH |
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| Miguel Bustamante, Sr. MP, US Army,1968-69 Laredo, TX |
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| Carl Myers, SGT, US Army Port Arthur, TX |
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| Anita G. Torres, Chief Hospital Corp Man US Navy, 1980-2000 |
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| "Ted" Tedmon, Commodore, US Navy (Ret) |
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| James Baumgartner, PO3, US Navy 1989-93, San Antonio, TX |
Thursday, November 8, 2012
Honoring the Tradition of Family, Land, Heritage
Fittingly held in the history-rich House Chamber at the Texas State Capitol, the 37th Annual Family Land Heritage ceremony today honored 104 farms and ranches spanning 67 Texas counties. Among those properties were seven family operations celebrating an incredible 150 years of continuous agricultural production. To date, TDA has recognized more than 4,700 properties in 237 counties across Texas.
Agriculture is not an easy way of life. The days are long, the work is hard and even the best-laid plans can be cast into ruin by drought, floods, wildfire, pests and disease. To endure and survive the unforeseen ups and downs takes a lot of backbone and even more perseverance. To do it for 100 years or more is a remarkable legacy of family, land and heritage.
To those families who surpass the 100-year milestone − and to those who make it their life’s work to do so − I say thank you on behalf of all Texans who, knowingly or not, depend on you each and every day.
Monday, November 5, 2012
Election Day: Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Duty
If you haven’t cast an early ballot, duty calls tomorrow. Election Day not only determines the course of our country over the next four years, it also represents the most sacred right − and responsibility − afforded to us as Americans.
Your political opinions − and the freedom to express them – were fought for and won by our Founding Fathers and our brave men and women in uniform. You owe it to them, as much as yourself and your country, to exercise your right to vote. Today and tomorrow, I urge you to do so.
No matter which candidate wins the presidency tomorrow, it is the American process of voting that truly represents we the people. Stand up for yourself, personal responsibility and for our republic. You are the envy of the entire world.
On Election Day, honor your duty to your country and those who sacrificed so that your voice – and vote – can be counted. See you at the ballot box, Texas.
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