 |
| NCGA President-Elect Leon Corzine, center in tan cap, shook hands with President George W. Bush Tuesday at the Farm Progress Show in Alleman, Iowa. Corzine had an opportunity to meet briefly with Bush to discuss the energy bill and other issues. |
NCGA’s Corzine Discusses Importance of Energy Bill with President Bush (9-1-04)
During a campaign stop Tuesday at the Farm Progress Show in Alleman, Iowa, President George W. Bush underscored the need for a comprehensive energy bill and thanked key agricultural leaders – including National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) President-Elect Leon (Len) Corzine – for their continued efforts to promote the interests of U.S. farmers.
“We’ve got the corn growers here represented by Len Corzine,” Bush said to the crowd of approximately 13,000. “I appreciate Len coming and I appreciate all the corn growers being here too…”
Corzine, who assumes duties as NCGA president Oct. 1, had the opportunity to meet briefly with Bush to discuss the energy bill and other corn grower concerns. “(Bush) said to me ‘We’re going to get you guys an energy bill,’” Corzine said. “What that really tells us is that he does have it in the front of his mind. He mentioned it to me before I got a chance to mention it to him, and I think that’s a great indication that it is a priority for him.”
Bush also addressed energy legislation, which would double ethanol production, during his remarks to the crowd. “I believe in ethanol and I believe in biodiesel,” the president said. “I think one of these days…the president is going to be sitting at the desk there in the Oval Office and somebody’s going to walk in and say ‘Guess what Mr. President? The corn crop is up and we’re less dependent on foreign sources of energy.’”
But even with the president's support, Corzine said the political odds of comprehensive energy legislation being passed this year are slim – even though such legislation remains critical to the profitability of the nation's farmers and ranchers.
“We do have a glimmer of hope in September when lawmakers are back in D.C.,” he said. “But what is probably more likely with the energy bill is, once the election is over, maybe we can finally put the partisan politics aside and get this energy bill finished up.”
Corzine said the energy bill is important not only from an ethanol standpoint, but also because of “the added costs that are on family farms now because of high input costs.”
Though corn growers were encouraged by Bush’s remarks, Corzine pointed out NCGA hasn't officially endorsed either major presidential candidate. He said the association continues to work with both campaigns to ensure the candidates understand issues important to the nation's corn growers.
To hear Corzine discuss his conservation with President Bush, click on the Listen Now button.