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BISHOP, CRAWFORD ORGANIZE CHICKEN CAUCUS FOR 113TH CONGRESS

February 1, 2013

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA) and Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR) announced members of the bipartisan Congressional Chicken Caucus in the 113th Congress. Bishop and Crawford founded the Chicken Caucus in 2012 and will continue serving as co-chairs of the caucus in the 113th Congress.

The bipartisan caucus will serve as a formal group of members whose mission is to educate other members of Congress about the history, contributions, and concerns of the U.S. chicken industry, which emanate from a wide range of issues pertaining to food safety, international trade, labor, immigration and the environment.

Congressional Chicken Caucus Members:

  • Congressman Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Caucus Co-Chairman
  • Congressman Rick Crawford (R-AR), Caucus Co-Chairman
  • Congressman Reid Ribble (R-WI)
  • Congressman Austin Scott (R-GA)
  • Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS)
  • Congressman Andy Harris (R-MD)
  • Congressman Tim Griffin (R-AR)
  • Congressman Gregg Harper (R-MS)
  • Congressman Walter Jones (R-NC)
  • Congressman Alan Nunnelee (R-MS)
  • Congressman Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
  • Congressman Scott DesJarlais (R-TN)
  • Congressman Jim Costa (R-CA)

“As Georgia is the number one chicken product producing state in the nation, I am proud to be able to fight for an industry of such importance to the second Congressional District of Georgia,” said Congressman Bishop. “I look forward to continue working with the Congressional Chicken Caucus in creating a forum where chicken producers, processors, consumers, and retailers can provide members of Congress with their thoughts and suggestions on how to sustain and improve our poultry industries.”

“The chicken industry employs over 300,000 workers in the United States. My Arkansas district is home to chicken production facilities like Peco Foods in Batesville. Working with caucus members, I plan to be a strong advocate for the 6,000 Arkansans who work in chicken production,” said Congressman Crawford. “My goal in co-founding the Congressional Chicken Caucus is to be a voice for the folks at Peco Foods in Batesville and Tyson Foods in Springdale. Working with Tyson and Peco, I hope to foster new development and move Arkansas forward.”

U.S. chicken companies directly employ over 300,000 workers, producing products worth a wholesale value of over $45 billion dollars with major operations in more than 30 states. The more than 40 vertically integrated companies contract with about 25,000 family farmers to produce market-ready broilers, hatching eggs, and pullets. The industry’s induced economic impact can be felt in every sector of the U.S. economy and in every state.