News Release - Etheridge Named to Three Subcommittees in House Agriculture Committee

News Release
Congressman Bob Etheridge
North Carolina

February 28, 2003

Contact: Sara Lang
Phone: (202) 225-4531

Etheridge Named to Three Subcommittees in House Agriculture Committee

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge (D-Lillington), a part-time farmer, was named this week to three subcommittees in the Agriculture Committee in the U.S. House of Representatives. Etheridge was named to the Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research, General Farm Commodities and Risk Management, and Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture Programs subcommittees. These subcommittees cover the breadth of North Carolina agriculture, from rural development and family farming to commodities to tobacco. Etheridge said he would use these positions to continue to fight for North Carolina's farm families and rural communities.

"Agriculture is at the heart of North Carolina's economy and our communities," Etheridge said. "From a tobacco buyout to real disaster assistance for farmers to restoring cuts in the Farm Bill, the agriculture committee has plenty of work to do in the coming year. I will continue to fight for North Carolina's farm families and rural communities."

The Conservation, Credit, Rural Development and Research subcommittee deals with soil, water and research conservation; rural development; farm security and family farming matters; education and extension services and biotechnology. The General Farm Commodities and Risk Management subcommittee covers areas relating to commodities, including cotton, wheat and soybeans, along with crop insurance and commodity exchanges. The Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture Programs has jurisdiction over tobacco, peanuts and agricultural trade programs.