Washington, D.C.-Last week, Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs, received the Friend of Farm Bureau Award from local representatives of the farming community. Julie Lehmann of Gaston County, Cathy Lewis of Catawba County, and Linda Wyant of Lincoln County were on hand to present the award.

“It’s an honor to accept this award,” said Congressman McHenry. “Farmers and others in the agriculture business work so hard to provide the necessities that the rest of us sometimes take for granted. I’m proud to do what I can to help North Carolina farmers.”

The “Friend of Farm Bureau” award is given at the end of each Congress to those members of Congress who were nominated by their respective state Farm Bureaus and approved by the American Farm Bureau Federation Board of Directors.

This award is based upon voting records on AFBF’s priority issues established by the Board of Directors, number of bills that a member has sponsored and co-sponsored, specific leadership role for Farm Bureau on priority issues, and how accessible and responsive that member is to Farm Bureau members and leaders. In addition, the state Farm Bureau lists any other specific reasons why that member should receive this award.