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President’s Address...

published: April 30th 2010
by: Rosalee Coleman
source: ICA Of Texas

Last month the tragic death of an Arizona rancher brought home to us the ever-increasing danger at our borders. This could have happened near El Paso, Laredo, or even Eagle Pass. ICA wrote a letter to Janet Napolitano, head of Homeland Security, and asked her to take measures to increase surveillance of our borders to stop the drug wars in Mexico from spilling over into the United States. USCA and NCBA, our National Affiliates, called on Congress and the Obama Administration to enhance Security Measures along our borders. Hopefully we will see some results soon.
    Another concern that surfaced this month was the U.S. intention to allow fresh meat from one area in Brazil to be imported into our country. They have determined that this area is free from foot and mouth disease, and want to regionalize Brazil in order to import fresh meat. This is meant as an appeasement to Brazil over a longstanding disagreement over cotton trade. Cattlemen are rightly concerned that even though this one area is free of foot and mouth disease, large areas of Brazil are not, and the potential of mixing the origins of fresh meat to the U.S. is great. An FMD outbreak in the United States would be disastrous, and we feel it not worth the risk to allow Brazil to import meat at this time.
    I visited the Mid-Tex ICA meeting this month, which was held in Lockhart on April 13th. Mid-Tex is our newest Chapter, and we are so pleased to welcome them to our State Organization. They are making plans to send delegates to our State meeting in June, and we will be glad to have them there.
    Last November, we Texans voted overwhelmingly for Proposition 11, which strengthened our eminent domain rights. Mainly, it says that the government cannot acquire land for non-public use. This is a good start, but we need to continue asking for stronger land-owner rights, of the land and also the groundwater beneath it. A case was heard by the Texas Supreme Court last month that is very important to groundwater rights. The Edwards Aquifer Authority (EAA) and the State of Texas v. Burrell Day and Joel McDaniel is a case in which EAA is asking for ownership rights of the water beneath the land. If EAA wins, it could be very damaging to Texas farmers and ranchers. Todd Staples, our Texas Agriculture Commissioner, wrote a letter of amicus curiae, supporting landowners’ vested property rights in their water. I certainly support him in this, and appreciate his efforts, as I am sure most country people do. Up to now, Texas courts have consistently recognized landowners’ ownership of groundwater beneath their land. Hopefully, they will continue to do so.
    On a happier note, the new roof is almost on our headquarters, and Bill says it looks very good. Now the trash can that catches leaks in the front office can be retired, or used for actual trash! Also, I’m looking forward to attending the annual fundraiser of the Victoria Crossroads Chapter, to be held this Saturday. It’s really nice party, and I’m sure all ICA members are invited, so please come if you are able to.
    Until next time, Rosalee