“I am honored to accept the inaugural George Norris Policymaker Award.  It has been a privilege to work with fellow Nebraskans on policies important to the future of our state and rural America.  I’m particularly grateful for the Center for Rural Affairs’ focus on expanding economic opportunity in rural communities, renewable energy production, and help for beginning farmers and ranchers.  I greatly appreciate the Center’s commitment to the values of rural America which make our country strong.”

Representative Jeff Fortenberry.

“This is the first time we’ve presented this award,” said Traci Bruckner, Senior Policy Associate with the Center for Rural Affairs. “However, our choice was clear. Representative Fortenberry has been a tireless champion in this long, arduous farm bill debate. He has stood up and fought for policies that would create a better future for rural and small town America. And he has done so irrespective of political obstacles.”

According to Bruckner, Rep. Fortenberry’s efforts to champion farm program payment limitation reforms in the Farm Bill, along with other ongoing efforts on behalf of beginning farmers and ranchers, were the primary reasons that the Center for Rural Affairs chose Rep. Fortenberry. The award was created to recognize just such political courage in a policymaker and champion of rural America’s public policy priorities.

“Representative Fortenberry has been a true champion for rural America. He has carried forward significant policy initiatives that will make a difference for rural people and communities,” added Bruckner. “And at the end of the day, he has not let go of his principles. We applaud him for voting no on the farm bill, that despite including many of the issues he pushed forward, it failed to include farm program payment limitations reform that was included in both bills but stripped in back room deal-making.”

Bruckner noted that Rep. Fortenberry’s efforts to reform federal farm programs and place real and effective caps on farm payments speaks for itself. For the first time in a generation we were successful in getting the House of Representatives to pass a farm bill that would have set strong payment limits and close farm program loopholes, noted Bruckner.

“Representative Fortenberry was the one who made that happen,” added Bruckner. “He was tireless, he left no stone unturned in looking for bipartisan support for these reforms. And he didn’t stop there, he championed and moved forward beginning farmer and rancher, local and regional food, and conservation initiatives as well as federal support for value added agriculture.”

The namesake for the Center for Rural Affairs George Norris Policymaker award ... Norris was a son of rural Ohio (the son of farmers) and later of rural Nebraska. Much of what Norris accomplished as a policymaker still benefits rural places across the nation and touches our daily work at the Center (public power, rural electrification, the Unicameral legislature). His public career was made in fighting corporate power used against rural people and rural places and bringing attention to the needs of rural and small town America. He believed in common people and their ability to influence government. Norris worked in a bipartisan nature throughout his public career (which is a major criterion for the Center’s award).

For a picture of Representative Fortenberry accepting his award, visit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfra/12225409585/