Two men will be honored by the U.S. Meat Export Federation for their outstand...

Two men will be honored by the U.S. Meat Export Federation for their outstanding contributions to the effort of putting U.S. meat on the world’s table during the organization’s Strategic Planning and Marketing Conference, November 7-9, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Eligio de la Garza, known fondly as "Kika," has been named by the USMEF Executive Committee to receive its prestigious “Michael J. Mansfield Award.” Named in honor of the former congressman, senator and ambassador to Japan, the award recognizes outstanding leadership in expanding opportunities in international trade and has been presented by USMEF only five times.

De la Garza had a long and illustrious career in public service, serving 32 years as a U.S. Congressman from Texas. An expert on national and international law related to agriculture and commerce, de la Garza played a major role in expanding trade with Japan, the former Soviet Union, China, Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and the Far East. A skilled and multilingual communicator who has developed close working relationships with top-level government officials throughout the world, he was one of the unwavering voices speaking out on behalf of free trade and free trade benefits.

James A. Mullins, Corwith, Iowa, will receive USMEF’s “Distinguished Service Award” for his outstanding leadership and contributions in the achievement of USMEF export goals.

Mullins twice served on the USMEF Executive Committee and was USMEF Chairman in 1994. Mullins was a strong advocate in the establishment of the beef checkoff and worked tirelessly to pass the beef referendum. Mullins is a respected leader in the livestock industry, having held various leadership positions in local, state and national organizations. The USMEF Executive Committee will present him the award to recognize him as “a strong and principled visionary working for positive change and to improve the viability of the entire livestock industry.”

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. Awards will be presented during special events honoring USMEF’s 25th anniversary of service.

In 2000, according to USDA statistics, total U.S. beef exports grew by 12 percent in volume to more than 1.24 million metric tons, while value grew 13 percent to $3.6 billion. Pork exports grew 12 percent in volume to more than 568,000 metric tons, while value grew 18 percent to $1.3 billion. Exports now account for nearly 13 percent of U.S. beef production and more than 8 percent of U.S. pork production on a wholesale weight basis.

– USMEF–

Media: Don’t forget, registration materials are available at http://www.usmef.org/meetings/convention/2001info.cfm and the meeting registration fee is waved for working media.