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A longtime member of the House Ag Committee has died

Former U.S. Congressman Charles (Charlie) Stenholm, a Blue Dog Democrat from Texas and long-time ranking member of the House Ag Committee has died. He passed away in his Grandbury, Texas home Wednesday.  He was 84.

Stenholm was a major contributor to every farm bill during his 26 years in Congress.  During his time on the House Ag Committee, he helped formulate legislation that aided the Farm Credit System in navigating the farm crisis of the 1980s, he assisted in drafting legislation that reorganized the USDA during the Clinton administration, and he played a significant role in crafting legislation that reformed the federal crop insurance system. 

After he lost his re-election bid in 2004, Stenholm stayed in Washington, D.C., and joined Olsson Frank Weeda in 2005, a Washington law and lobbying firm that specializes in the food and ag industries, as a senior policy advisor and lobbyist. 

Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack called Stenholm a true champion for American farmers and ranchers.  In a statement released Thursday, U. S. House Ag Committee chair Congressman Glenn G.T. Thompson and ranking member Congressman David Scott said Stenholm had an intimate understanding of American agriculture and had a lifelong commitment to supporting rural communities. In an October 2022 interview, Stenholm spoke about his time on the Committee in celebration of its 200-year anniversary. Watch it here. (Courtesy of the House Ag Committee).

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and children, Chris, Carey, and Courtney.

** Photo courtesy House Ag Committee’s YouTube video **