January 14, 2010
SHULER NAMED 2010 DISTINGUISHED FRIEND OF VIRGINA AGRIBUSINESS
Delegate Praised For His Support of State Agriculture and Forestry Industries
(Richmond) Delegate James M. “Jim” Shuler has been named the Distinguished Friend of Virginia Agribusiness for 2010 by the Virginia Agribusiness Council.
The award was presented January 14 at the Agribusiness Council’s Annual Appreciation Banquet at the Arthur Ashe Athletic Center in Richmond.
Dr. Shuler, a retired veterinarian, was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1993. He represents the 12th District which includes the City of Blacksburg and the Counties of Alleghany, Bath and Craig. He currently serves on the House Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources, Education, and Militia, Police & Public Safety Committees.
In presenting the award, Matt Faulconer, chairman of the board of the Council, said, “From the day he took his seat in Richmond, his rural roots and perspective as a farm boy and veterinarian have given him a unique and invaluable perspective on issues that impact farmers, foresters and agribusinesses. As one of our board members said of him, ‘Jim not only understands agricultural issues, he has been down every cow path in his district. ' "
Faulconer noted that Dr. Shuler was born and raised on farm in Page County before earning a degree in animal husbandry at Virginia Tech and his DVM at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine. Before retiring from full-time practice in 1995, Dr. Shuler owned Companion Animal Clinic in Blacksburg for 25 years.
“As you would expect, our Council members consider Jim the ‘go to guy’ on animal health and livestock issues,” said Donna Pugh Johnson, Council president. “From protecting the rights of private property owners to repeal of the death tax to renewable energy and environmental practices, Jim’s voting record on issues of importance to the Council and its members has averaged an astounding 95 percent over the past five years.”
Since its inception in 1978, the Distinguished Friend of Agribusiness Award has been presented twenty-eight times to a Member of Congress, a State Legislator, Governor or other influential public official.
Nearly 1,000 persons including Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, members of the Virginia State Senate and House of Delegates, members of the Governor’s cabinet and other government officials joined Agribusiness Council members and industry representatives at the Agribusiness Appreciation Banquet. Attendees enjoyed “Virginia’s Finest” foods and beverages at this annual event.
Based in Richmond, the Virginia Agribusiness Council is a non-profit organization that represents agricultural and forest product producers, suppliers and marketers and commodity associations from throughout the Commonwealth. It’s mission to represent its members with a unified voice and help promote and sustain a thriving agribusiness in Virginia for future generations. For more information, please visit www.va-agribusiness.org.
