CRAPO: AG SECRETARY-DESIGNATE SCHAFER HAS STRONG BACKGROUND

Washington, DC - Idaho Senator Mike Crapo, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, welcomes President Bush's nomination of former North Dakota Governor Edward Schafer and says that Schafer's diverse background and experience will be beneficial in making it through the Senate confirmation process. During his tenure as Governor, Schafer made economic development a priority in his rural state, a priority Crapo shares.

"Schafer understands the important relationships between American agriculture and rural development in rural states like Idaho and North Dakota, and I look forward to the opportunity to work with him in shaping our country's agriculture policies," Crapo said. "I am hopeful that the Senate Agriculture Committee can move through the confirmation process quickly. With votes on the 2007 Farm Bill expected next week in the Senate, we need to continue the leadership and partnership we've experienced with outgoing Secretary Johanns."

Outgoing Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns is resigning to run for the U.S. Senate from Nebraska. Schafer is a former two-term governor from North Dakota who worked in the manufacturing sector before becoming governor.