August, 1999
USApple forms PAC to increase political muscle
The U.S. Apple Association announced the formation of a federal political
action committee (USApple-PAC) on behalf of the national apple industry.
"The apple industry is facing a myriad of critical issues on Capitol Hill, from the availability of farm labor to implementation of the Food Quality Protection Act to funding for export promotion," said USApple President and CEO Kraig Naasz. "The creation of a political action committee should enhance our advocacy efforts on behalf of the apple industry by providing us with the means to more effectively support our allies on these issues in Congress."
An advisory committee appointed by USApple Board of Trustees Chair Norm Chick of Chick Orchards, Monmouth, Maine will direct the PAC's fundraising efforts and contributions to federal candidates for elected office.
Advisory committee members include:
Jane Logoluso Bautista, Frank A. Logoluso Farms, Madera, Calif.; Jeffrey
D. Crist, Crist Bros. Orchards, Inc., Walden, N.Y.; Mark Holtzinger, C.M.
Holtzinger Fruit Co., Inc., Yakima, Wash.; Dan Pariseau, Brewster Heights
Packing, Inc., Brewster, Wash.; John L. Rice, Rice Fruit Company, Gardners,
Pa.; and Barry Winkel, Greg Orchards & Produce, Inc., Benton Harbor,
Mich.
USApple's Naasz will serve as the treasurer for the USApple-PAC, which was registered with the Federal Election Commission earlier this month.
"The apple industry is frequently forced to compete with less-than-friendly special interest groups for the attention of our nation's lawmakers on Capitol Hill," said Naasz. "The presence of a strong and vibrant political action committee should greatly enhance our industry's efforts to be heard in such a crowded and often chaotic policy arena."
USApple's Board of Trustees approved the establishment
of a political action committee on behalf of the apple industry in March,
following a recommendation from the USApple Public Affairs Committee in
January. USApple was requested to explore the creation of a political action
committee by the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association.
