Denver (October 16, 2002) - The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) will hono...

Denver (October 16, 2002) - The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) will honor two outstanding industry figures with its Annual Board of Directors Meeting, November 6-8, 2002, at the Hyatt Regency, Long Beach, Calif.

Dean R. Kleckner has been chosen by the USMEF Executive Committee to receive its elite “Michael J. Mansfield Award.” Named in honor of the former congressman, senator and ambassador to Japan, who died in October 2001, the award recognizes outstanding leadership in expanding opportunities in international trade. USMEF has presented it only six times in its 26 years.

Kleckner has tirelessly promoted U.S. agriculture and free trade across the globe. He was the only farmer on the U.S. Advisory Team to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations when they began in Uruguay in 1986. He served on the U.S. Trade Advisory Committee, appointed by President Ronald Reagan and was reappointed by both Presidents Bush and Clinton. Kleckner also served seven two-year terms as president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, where he made his mark as a leading voice in American and world agriculture. He also was a director of the National Livestock Producers Association.

Kleckner currently serves as chairman of Truth About Trade and Technology, a national grassroots advocacy organization of farmers, leaders, trade associations and corporations dedicated to promoting the benefits of free trade and advancement in biotechnology.

Illinois’ Joe Hampton will receive the USMEF “Distinguished Service Award” for his exceptional leadership and contributions to U.S. red meat exports. Since 1991, USMEF has presented this award to outstanding figures in the red meat industry who exemplify the exceptional, individual dedication responsible for the federation’s success.

Hampton is a strong advocate of global free trade and has represented agricultural interests in the GATT negotiations and in talks with the European Union. He is a respected leader in agriculture, who has been entrusted with many and varied leadership positions in local, state and national organizations. Hampton served on the USMEF Executive Committee and was USMEF Chairman in 1992. Since 1999, Hampton has served as Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

The U.S. Meat Export Federation is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn, sorghum and soybean checkoff programs.

Photo - Dean R. Kleckner, left, was recently name the U.S. Meat Export Federation “Michael J. Mansfield Award” winner. Kleckner, a former president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, was cited for “tirelessly promoting U.S. agriculture and free trade across the globe.” Illinois’ Joe Hampton, right, received the USMEF “Distinguished Service Award” for his “exceptional leadership and contributions to U.S. red meat exports.”

-- USMEF --