News Release
Governor Martz Announces Plans to Celebrate American Beef Week
1/7/2004
Kris Goss
406-444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
HELENA - Governor Judy Martz today announced her plans to celebrate
American
Beef Week in Montana January 4-10. She has scheduled a visit to the
Butte/Ramsay Stockyards and will devote portions of two major addresses
to
the support of the beef industry.
"The Martz family had beef each night during the holiday season and will
continue to eat American beef long into the future," Governor Martz
stated.
"I am proud to join with eight other state governors to proclaim
American
Beef Week. We have to work to spread the message that our food supply
has
been safe, will remain safe, and is still the finest in the world. I
ask all
Montanans to join me in supporting Montana's cattlemen and women. "
On Friday, January 9, Governor Martz will be visiting the Butte/Ramsay
Stockyards from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM in Butte for the Friday feeder
cattle
sale to support cattle producers and buyers and visit about the state
of the
livestock industry. During the sale she will join local livestock
producers, officials from the Montana Departments of Livestock, Public
Health and Human Services, and Agriculture, and agriculture and beef
industry advocates for a beef on a bun feed provided by the auction. A
detailed agenda for the Butte event follows.
On Thursday, January 8, Governor Martz will be speaking to the Western
Business Roundtable in Phoenix, Arizona and will devote a portion of her
remarks about the importance of supporting the American beef industry
and
asking American business leaders to stand behind the cattlemen and
women of
the United States.
On Wednesday, January 7, Governor Martz will be joining the Montana
Chamber
of Commerce at 6:00 PM for Business Days at the Great Northern Hotel
where
she will be enjoying a beef dinner and devoting a portion of her
remarks to
asking the Montana business community to support their stock producing
neighbors.
Governor Martz joined the governors of Texas, Colorado, North Dakota,
Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Kansas in proclaiming
American Beef Week. The proclamation follows.
**********************************
Butte/Ramsay Stockyards
January 9, 2004
Schedule Events
10 a.m. Livestock auction opens, Craig Britton, market manager
Noon Lunch provided by Livestock Auction Market - Beef on a Bun
1 p.m. Comments from Governor Martz in support of American Beef Week
1:15 p.m. Livestock auction resumes
Market manager Craig Britton
Those expected to attend:
Governor Martz
Members of Governor's Staff
Montana Department of Livestock
Marc Bridges, Executive Officer; Dr. Tom Linfield, State Veterinarian
Montana Department of Agriculture
Ralph Peck, Director; Brent Poppe, Will Kissinger
Montana Dept. Public Health and Human Services
Members of DHPHHS Staff
Montana Board of Livestock
Montana Stockgrowers Association
Steve Pilcher, Vice President
Montana Beef Council
Charlene Shuester
Montana Farm Bureau
Montana Farm Union
***************************
Proclamation
AMERICAN BEEF WEEK
January 4-10, 2004
WHEREAS, the U.S. beef industry forms the largest part of the nation's
food and fiber supply.
WHEREAS, agriculture is a significant segment of the U.S. economy
responsible for 16.3 percent of the Gross Domestic Product and 17.4
percent of our population's employment.
WHEREAS, the U.S. cattle industry is made up of more that 1 million
small businesses - farms or ranches - operating in all 50 states.
WHEREAS, millions jobs are provided through the beef industry. These
jobs include farmers and ranchers who produce cattle; stocker operators;
cattle feeders; as well as hundreds of various allied industry partners
and
companies.
WHEREAS, in 2000, there were an estimated 98.1 million cattle in the
U.S.
WHEREAS, the cattle industry generates a substantial ripple effect for
the entire U.S. economy.
WHEREAS, U.S. beef production generated more than $30 billion annually
in direct economic output and approximately five times that amount in
related economic output.
WHEREAS, the cattle and beef produced in the United States is the
highest quality product in the world.
WHEREAS, the safety and integrity of meat in the U.S. are closely
monitored by a compliment of state and federal agencies, resulting in a
safe
and
wholesome food supply.
WHEREAS, the livestock industry needs the support of consumers to remain
strong.
NOW, THEREFORE, as the Governors of the State of Montana, North Dakota,
Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota, we do
hereby proclaim January 4-10, 2004, AMERICAN BEEF WEEK in our respective
states.
JUDY MARTZ
Governor of Montana
JOHN HOEVEN
Governor of North Dakota
BILL OWENS
Governor of Colorado
MIKE JOHANNS
Governor of Nebraska
MIKE ROUNDS
Governor of South Dakota
BRAD HENRY
Governor of Oklahoma
RICK PERRY
Governor of Texas
KATHLEEN SEBELLIUS
Governor of Kansas
# # #
Kris Goss
Education Policy Advisor and Deputy Communications Director
Office of the Governor
State Capitol
Helena, MT 59620
(406) 444-3862
kgoss@state.mt.us
