Costa receives award for pro-manufacturing record
- Details
- Published on 10/31/2012 - 1:55 pm
- Written by Michael Kincheloe
Rep. Jim Costa accepts the National Assn. of Manufacturing’s Award for Legislative Excellence from John Niemann of Cargill Beef.Rep. Jim Costa was presented with the National Association of Manufacturing’s Award for Legislative Excellence today at the Cargill Beef facility in South Fresno.
The award is given to members of Congress whose voting record has demonstrated support for pro-manufacturing policies that enhance the ability of U.S. manufacturers to succeed in the global economy.
“On behalf of all of the North American manufacturers, we thank you,” said John Niemann, vice president and general manager of Cargill’s Fresno beef facility. “Having your support does make a difference. We have a thousand people, but we have a thousand people who also have families.”
Costa said that even though elections are right around the corner, the award was not about politics, especially in a state like California that is economically challenged.
“We are facing a challenge not only in California but throughout the nation,” Costa said. “Companies like Cargill create opportunities in our state and throughout the nation.”
Costa told approximately two dozen Cargill employees that every day he tried to work as hard as he could and he knew they did the same. He spoke about how his parents instilled certain values in him that still ring true today.
“Manuel and Lena Costa brought up this kid to understand that there are no shortcuts,” he said.
The way to answer this challenge is for Republicans and Democrats in Washington to sit down and reach a compromise, Costa said. The Fresno Democrat is teaming up with Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a Virginia Republican, to introduce a bill next year that would change the Renewable Fuel Standard and allow farmers to use corn to feed livestock and poultry that would currently be used to produce ethanol.
“We’ve got to change the Renewable Fuel Standard next year,” Costa said.
After the award presentation, Costa was scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion and take a tour of the Cargill facility.
