Rep. Mike Conaway (l) meets  with Texas rice farmers  during 2014 GAC

WASHINGTON, DC -- The 114^thCongress was sworn in earlier this month with 64 brand new Members, and significant changes on committees, including Republican chairmen in the Senate and new chairmen on many House Committees.  The task at hand now is to educate the new Members and their staff about the U.S. rice industry and the industry's priorities.

"We've already begun our outreach and education efforts, but we will use our upcoming Government Affairs Conference to make a major advocacy push with Congress," said USA Rice Federation Vice President of Government Affairs Ben Mosely.  "Having our members in town creates a perfect opportunity to tell rice's story on the Hill."

Mosely confirmed speaking invitations had been extended to Representative Mike Conaway (R-TX), the new chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, and to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse.

"The GAC is a real learning experience for everyone involved," said Dow Brantley, an Arkansas rice farmer and chairman of the USA Rice Federation.  "Our members attend informational sessions with legislators and government agency officials where they get to meet face-to-face, talk about the U.S. rice industry, and educate these decision makers on the areas that are important to us.  It's a key component of our strategy."

Contact:  Deborah Willenborg (703) 236-1444

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