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| Johanns resigns to seek election in U.S. Senate |
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| By DAVE BLOWER JR.
Farm World Editor
WASHINGTON, D.C. — USDA Secretary Mike Johanns resigned Sept 19 and is expected to launch a Senate bid sometime this fall.
“It’s Mike’s decision and Nebraska’s choice,” President Bush said last week. “He would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate. There is no doubt in my mind.”
Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.) is not seeking re-election. Johanns, a former governor of Nebraska, is expected to run for that Senate seat. Johanns replaced Ann Veneman as the USDA’s leader in December 2004. Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner, a native Hoosier, is the nominee to replace Johanns.
“It has been a great honor to serve you and the American people as Secretary of Agriculture for nearly three years,” Johanns wrote in his resignation letter to Bush. “After careful thought and difficult deliberation, I am writing to inform you that I have decided to pursue a new opportunity to serve this great nation.”
Johanns resigns as Congress is still debating the next farm bill. The current policy, which is expected to get an extension, ends on Sept. 30.
“I can assure you that I leave the farm bill finalization in supremely capable hands,” Johanns said. “Deputy Secretary Chuck Conner has been intimately involved in the deliberations - from the development of our proposals to his attendance at virtually every hearing during the House mark-up. Few people are as knowledgeable and insightful about farm bill policy. He is supported by some of the most dedicated civil servants in the federal government.”
In his resignation letter, he wrote that rural America has improved during the Bush Administration.
“Farm equity, now at $2 trillion, has increased $200 billion per year for the past several years,” Johanns wrote. “The debt-to-asset ratio is the lowest in more than 45 years. Projected 2007 net cash income is a record high $86 billion. The average farm household income is projected at $81,500 this year, nearly $20,000 above the average household income in the U.S.
“Overall farm balance sheets reveal a strong and growing farm economy. Agricultural exports are expected to set a fourth consecutive record this year, with a projected value of $79 billion. The strong stance you’ve taken with international leaders in relation to beef trade has led to the re-opening of more than 40 key markets to U.S. beef. This year, U.S. beef exports have increased 18 percent over last year and negotiations are underway to achieve additional market openings.”
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Assoc. issued a release thanking Johanns for his efforts for beef producers.
“Mike Johanns has been a great friend to NCBA and to the cattle industry, as well as to production agriculture as a whole,” said NCBA President John Queen. “We hate to lose a friend like that. But we’re hopeful that he will continue to be a friend to cattlemen, no matter where his life of public service takes him.”
The NCBA said Johanns’ biggest accomplishment was restoring and expanding beef export markets.
This farm news was published in the Sept. 26, 2007 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee. |
| 9/26/2007 |
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