Congress honors Jack King for service to agriculture

Members of Congress, congressional staff members, administration officials and colleagues from the California Farm Bureau Federation and American Farm Bureau Federation gathered in Washington, D.C., last week to honor retiring CFBF National Affairs Manager Jack King. King retired from CFBF on Jan. 31 after more than 35 years of service to Farm Bureau.

More than 200 people gathered in the foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building to congratulate King, who represented CFBF before Congress and federal agencies.

King received letters of commendation signed by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Sen. Dianne Feinstein, plus a copy of a tribute authored by Rep. Jim Costa, D-Fresno, which was published in the Congressional Record and signed by 29 members of the California congressional delegation.

"His deep commitment was based in his belief that legislators needed to hear directly from farmers and ranchers in order to understand their contributions and the difficulties they face," the congressional tribute said. "We thank Jack for his work on behalf of farmers and ranchers in California and all across the country, and wish him well in retirement."

King joined CFBF in 1973 as assistant communications manager, and became news services director for AFBF in 1985 before returning to California to manage the CFBF National Affairs and Research Division in 1994.

"No one has exhibited greater passion advocating on behalf of California farmers and ranchers than Jack King," CFBF President Paul Wenger said. "His dedication, optimism and common sense, along with an engaging personality, have served Farm Bureau members well."