'Circle of Friends' for 2009

NEW YORK FARM BUREAU NAMES "CIRCLE OF FRIENDS" IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE

ALBANY, N.Y. - New York Farm Bureau, the state's largest general farm advocacy organization, has named 84 State Legislators to its "Circle of Friends" for the year 2009. The award is an indication of the individual lawmaker's support of New York agriculture and the Farm Bureau.

"The 'Circle of Friends' award is based upon each legislator's voting record on issues of importance to New York agriculture and other evidence of legislative support, including sponsorship of bills that Farm Bureau has either supported, or opposed, throughout the Legislative Session," stated Dean Norton, New York Farm Bureau President.

The selected lawmakers were chosen for their strong support of New York's family farms. Each "Circle of Friends" member has demonstrated that they understand the importance of agriculture in their legislative district, and how the industry impacts the economy and the future of New York State. The "Circle of Friends" award is not an endorsement, and includes only the 2009 Legislative Session.

The New York Farm Bureau "Circle of Friends" recipients for 2009 are:

NYS Senate

James Alesi
Darrel Aubertine
John Bonacic
John DeFrancisco
Martin Dilan
Hugh Farley
John Flanagan
Brian Foley
Charles Fuschillo Jr.
Martin Golden
Joseph Griffo
Kemp Hannon
Owen Johnson
Carl Kruger
Andrew Lanza
William Larkin
Kenneth LaValle
Vincent Leibell
Thomas Libous
Betty Little
George Maziarz
Roy McDonald
Thomas Morahan
Michael Nozzolio
Michael Ranzenhofer
Stephen Saland
James Seward
Dean Skelos
Malcolm Smith
William Stachowski
David Valesky
Dale Volker
George Winner
Cathy Young

NYS Assembly

Peter Abbate, Jr.
Mark Alessi
George Amedore
James Bacalles
Greg Ball
Will Barclay
Dan Burling
Marc Butler
Nancy Calhoun
Joan Christensen
Jane Corwin
Clifford Crouch
Francine DelMonte
RoAnn Destito
Janet Duprey
Joseph Errigo
Ginny Fields
Gary Finch
Michael Fitzpatrick
Dennis Gabryszak
Joe Giglio
Tim Gordon
Aileen Gunther
Steve Hawley
Jim Hayes
Dov Hikand
Tony Jordan
Brian Kolb
David Koon
Peter Lopez
William Magee
Bill Magnarelli
Joel Miller
Marcus Molinaro
Thomas O'Mara
Robert Oaks
Jack Quinn
Annie Rabbitt
Andrew Raia
Bill Reilich
Bob Reilly
Addie Russell
Teresa Sayward
Robin Schimminger
Dierdre Scozzafava
Frank Skartados
Alan Stirpe
Matthew Titone
Lou Tobacco
David Townsend