"Given the importance of maintaining the standing of fruits and vegetables in the 2012 Farm Bill, the opportunity to hear from Chairman Lucas is a great thing for our industry and for the leaders in attendance at this year’s Washington Public Policy Conference," said United Fresh Senior Vice President of Public Policy Robert Guenther. "United Fresh has a long history of working with House Agriculture Committee leadership on issues vital to the specialty crop industry, and we look forward to continuing that relationship with Chairman Lucas."

Lucas represents Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District and is currently in his tenth term as a member of Congress. Lucas’ district is one of the largest agricultural regions in the nation. It includes all or portions of 32 counties in northern and western Oklahoma and takes up almost half the state’s land mass. Prior to his election to the House in 1994, Lucas served for five and a half years in the Oklahoma State House of Representatives.

"Throughout his tenure, Chairman Lucas has proven himself to be a champion on agriculture issues, both for his home state and for the nation," added Guenther. "We look forward to his insight on the upcoming Farm Bill, as well as his perspectives on food safety, nutrition, and on how the recent debt reduction efforts will impact funding for agriculture initiatives."

Lucas’ address on Wednesday adds to a busy schedule of events for the annual Washington Public Policy Conference, including discussions with federal regulators at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Environmental Protection Agency and Food and Drug Administration and the popular Fresh Festival on Capitol Hill. Additionally, this year’s event includes the most visits to congressional offices on Capitol Hill by conference attendees in the event’s history.

Registration options and more information for the Washington Public Policy Conference is available at www.unitedfresh.org/programs/wppc.