PRESS RELEASE
CONTACT: JAMES BERNSEN (214) 587-8030
FEBRUARY 27, 2002

TEXAS FARM BUREAU AGFUND ENDORSES CRAIG ESTES

Senator outlines priorities for 2003 legislative session

District 4 State Director Joe Kapavik presents Sen. Estes with a check, showing the Farm Bureau AGFUND's support.

The Texas Farm Bureau AGFUND gave its official endorsement Wednesday to State Senator Craig Estes in his bid for re-election in Senate District 30. Farm Bureau representatives joined Senator Estes at a press conference at a feed store in Sanger to tout his knowledge and experience on agricultural issues facing North Texas.

In endorsing Estes, Donald Patman, president of the Texas Farm Bureau and AGFUND, said, "As the recent battles over redistricting of the Texas Legislature have taught us all too well, representation by leaders who understand agriculture and rural issues is more valuable than ever."

Patman also praised Estes' record as a businessman. Estes is president and chief executive officer of Estes, Inc., a wholesale distributor of agricultural supplies with outlets across Texas and Oklahoma. "His job as president of Estes, Inc., a provider of services to agriculture, gives him a unique perspective of the challenges facing agriculture in a new century," Patman said.

"The farm bureau has been one of my biggest supporters from the beginning, and I appreciate it so much," Estes said. "As someone who has worked in the agricultural chemical business for over 20 years, I've seen the need for a strong, conservative voice for ag interests in Austin. I want to be that voice for District 30.

Estes was joined Wednesday by Joe Kapavik, Farm Bureau State Director for District 4, which includes the Metroplex and surrounding counties, such as Grayson, Cooke, Denton and Parker Counties, and Steve Cochran, Farm Bureau State Director for an area including Wise, Montague and all counties West to Wichita Falls.

Senator Estes outlines his vision for ag policy with District 4 State Director Joe Kapavik and Donald Paddack, owner of Paddack Fertilizer and Seed, in Sanger.

"It was an honor for AGFUND to support Craig Estes in last year's special senate election to replace a great friend of Texas farm and ranch families, the late senator Tom Haywood," Kapavik said. "We helped elect a new leader who has a strong understanding of the issues facing rural Texas. It is now time to elect that leader, Senator Craig Estes to a full term in the Texas Senate."

Cochran said, "With Craig down in Austin, with his agricultural background, I feel better already."

The senator currently serves on the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and the Subcommittee on Agriculture, outlined his priorities for the 2003 legislative session, which included the availability of water, dealing with karnal bunt, property rights and holding the line on taxes.

"I could not be more perfectly placed on committees, to help agriculture," Estes said.

"The availability of water is a major issue statewide, but particularly in North Texas," Estes said, noting that demand will increase by 18 percent over the next 50 years. "As your state senator, I will work diligently to insure that the municipalities and the farmers and ranchers of Senate District 30 have adequate water supplies."

Senator Estes said he will work to implement the goals of Senate Bill 1, which the Legislature passed in 1997. That bill provides for local level water planning with public participation.

Holding the line on Taxes is another issue of importance to farmers and ranchers in Texas.

"I will also work hard to protect the agricultural land valuations and tax exemptions that currently enable our farmers and ranchers to maintain their productivity," the senator said. "Elimination of these exemptions would have a devastating effect on the people of North Texas."

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