Secretary Veneman, Sen. Hutchison, Chairman Combest to Shed Light on Farm Bill Process at NCC Annual Meeting

NCC delegates will develop policies and programs to help restore profitability to all industry segments at the NCC’s 2002 Annual Meeting, Feb. 7-11, in Dallas, TX. “Policy, Program, Purpose” is the theme of the meeting, which is expected to attract 1,000 leaders from U.S. cotton’s seven segments and industry stakeholders from across the Cotton Belt.

January 16, 2002
Contact: Marjory Walker
(901) 274-9030

MEMPHIS - Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, will share Administration and Senate insights into new farm law development at the NCC’s ’02 Annual Meeting, Feb. 7-11, at the Hyatt Regency Reunion in Dallas, TX. They will address the meeting’s general session, Feb. 11.

"National Cotton Council delegates face a major challenge in charting a course of action to restore the U.S. cotton industry’s economic health," NCC Chairman James Echols said. "Enactment of more effective farm and trade policies will receive major attention during the meeting."

Echols will cover the state of the U.S. cotton industry and outline a plan of action in his address to the general session. Joining him, Secretary Veneman and Sen. Hutchison on the program will be Charlie Cook, a Washington political analyst, and J. Berrye Worsham, III, president and chief executive officer of Cotton Incorporated.

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Larry Combest (R-TX) will address the National Cotton Ginners Association’s annual meeting on Feb. 9. Earlier that day, Drs. Mark Lange and Kent Lanclos will present NCC’s economic outlook report to a joint session of the NCC’s 6 program committees. A special luncheon will feature Scott O’Grady, the Air Force fighter pilot who survived after being shot down over Bosnia.

Among key sessions on Feb. 8 will be: the NCC’s Policy Advisory Committee on Trade, the Cotton Council International Board of Directors and the American Cotton Producers (ACP), the NCC’s producer policy development group. Results of the NCC’s annual Planting Intentions Survey, which provides the first insights into growers’ plans for the ’02 season, will be announced at the ACP meeting.

As the unifying force of the U.S. cotton industry, the Memphis-based National Cotton Council brings together industry representatives from the 17 cotton-producing states to work out common problems and establish programs of mutual benefit for its members. The NCC’s mission is ensuring the ability of all industry segments to compete effectively and profitably in the raw cotton, oilseed and U.S.-manufactured product markets at home and abroad.