Representative Jeff Fortenberry Receives Golden Triangle Award From Farmers Union
LINCOLN (September 26, 2016) – Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) presented Representative Jeff Fortenberry with the Golden Triangle Award, National Farmers Union’s (NFU) highest legislative honor. The award was presented recently as part of the annual NFU fall Fly-In that brought 275 Farmers Union members from across the country to Washington, DC to share their views and concerns with their elected officials. Fortenberry was one of 44 House and Senate members honored this year.
Ten Nebraskans participated in the NFU Fly-In meetings with members of Congress and their staffs. In addition to Hansen, Nebraska participants from all 7 NeFU Districts included John Maser and Mike Sarchet of Minatare, Terry Kirby of Central City, David Mohlman of Red Cloud, Amanda and Lillian Fritch of Beatrice, Jeff Downing of Elkhorn, Paul Poppe of Scribner, and Art Tanderup of Neligh.
The Golden Triangle is an annual award presented to members of Congress who have demonstrated leadership and support policies that benefit America’s family farmers, ranchers, fishermen and rural communities.
“The Golden Triangle Award represents outstanding leadership and tireless effort on the issues that are important to our industry and organization. It is our honor to recognize the efforts of these Congressional champions and friends of family farming and ranching,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.
The Golden Triangle, first presented in 1988, symbolizes the core principles of the Farmers Union organization: education, cooperation, and legislation. This year’s Golden Triangle honorees were selected for their leadership and contribution to several issues important to family farmers and ranchers.
Representative Fortenberry’s award was presented by NeFU President John Hansen and David Mohlman as other Nebraska team members were headed to the airport for flights home. “We appreciate Representative Fortenberry’s continued leadership on renewable energy, conservation, rural development, and family farm and ranch issues,” said NeFU President John Hansen. “Representative Fortenberry understands the issues in depth, and is a respected advocate of family farm and ranch agriculture.”
Yasser Reda, Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt was scheduled next to meet with Rep. Fortenberry and was very interested in meeting representatives from American agriculture. A very interesting discussion followed, and he enthusiastically participated in the photo of Rep. Fortenberry accepting his award. NeFU President Hansen said “Wheat sales to Egypt came quickly to mind.”
Nebraska Farmers Union is a general farm organization with 4,000 farm and ranch family members dedicated to protecting and enhancing the economic well-being and quality of life for family farmers and ranchers, and their rural communities. Since 1913, Nebraska Farmers Union has helped organize over 445 cooperatives.