Lee named Co-Chair of the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus

Press Release

Continued Leadership of Influential Group Underscores Lawmaker's Commitment to Protect WNY Family Farms

Congressman Chris Lee (NY-26) was chosen to serve as a co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus for the 112th Congress. Lee served as vice-chair during the 111th Congress until its adjournment last year. Lee will lead the caucus with fellow co-chairs Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT), Peter Welch (D-VT), Timothy Walz (D-MN), Devin Nunes (R-CA) and Thomas Petri (R-WI).

The bipartisan caucus works to aid dairy farmers across the United States, and last Congress worked closely with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on important issues affecting Western New York's dairy farmers.

"Western New York has some of the finest family farms in the country, and since coming to Congress in 2009 I've been focused on ensuring our region's agricultural producers have the resources they need," said Rep. Lee. "Dairy farmers in particular have been hard-hit during the tough economic times, but they are a resilient group of families closely tied to the land they farm and the industry they love. I look forward to working with the other co-chairs and members of the Caucus who share my commitment to strengthening family farms for this and future generations."

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Lee's congressional district is the 22nd highest dairy producing district in the nation, with a market value nearing $500 million. New York State as a whole produces about 12.5 billion pounds of milk each year.

For more information on Congressman Lee's commitment to Western New York's dairy farmers, visit www.chrislee.house.gov/familyfarms.

Source