Former Home Agriculture Committee Rating Member Charlie Stenholm died Could 17 at his dwelling in Granbury, Tex. He was 84 years outdated.
Stenholm was first elected to the U.S. Home of Representatives in 1979. He served 13 phrases and was one of many final conservative-leaning Democrats to carry nationwide workplace in Texas. He misplaced his bid for one more time period in 2004 after the Republican-led Texas Legislature redrew the state’s congressional map, placing him in a closely GOP-leaning district.
In the course of the Eighties, Stenholm joined a block of Southern Democrats generally known as the “Boll Weevils” that supported Republican fiscal coverage. Later as a founder and co-chair of the Democratic Blue Canine Coalition, Stenholm earned reward for his potential to achieve throughout the aisle and assist craft bipartisan laws.
From 1997 to 2005, Stenholm served as Rating Member of the Home Agriculture Committee. Throughout that point, he chaired a number of subcommittees. Following the information of his passing, present Committee Chair GT. Thompson, R- Pa., and Rating Member David Scott, D- Ga., issued a joint assertion honoring his life and profession.
“We’re saddened to be taught of the passing of Congressman Charles Stenholm, a distinguished public servant who devoted greater than 26 years of his life to the folks of Texas and the US,” Thompson and Scott stated. “Charlie had an intimate understanding of American agriculture and a lifelong dedication to supporting rural communities. He will likely be significantly missed by many. Our hearts exit to his spouse Cindy and his household. They are going to be in our prayers.”
Earlier than working for Congress, Stenholm ran his household’s massive cotton farm for a few years whereas educating vocational programs on the aspect. He and his spouse, Cynthia Watson, had three youngsters collectively. Stenholm was a constitution trustee for the Cotton Producer Institute.
He remained energetic in agriculture following his time in public workplace. Stenholm labored as a lobbyist in Washington and taught agriculture programs as an adjunct professor at Tarleton State College in Stephenville, Tex. Upon listening to of his passing, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack known as him “a real champion of American farmers and ranchers.”
