The first three months of 2013 brought us a new Congress that was settling in . . . a second term of a President with a renewed agenda . . . and plenty of battles over the economic course of our nation between the House, Senate and the White House. 

    How well do you remember 1985? Twenty eight years ago, the average price for a gallon of gasoline was $1.20, a movie ticket was $2.75, a stamp cost 22 cents, and a car cost $9,000.  Microsoft introduced Windows 1.0 that year, President Reagan first met Mikhail Gorbachev (Soviet Union), the first mobile phone call in England was made, Christa McAuliffe was chosen to be the first teacher to fly on the space shuttle Challenger, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was born, and the hit movie was “Back to the Future.”  

    Grower leaders are making hundreds of visits on Capitol Hill in late February and March to tell your story about the need for a strong domestic sugar policy.  This is a huge effort on their part, and they deserve the blessings and appreciation from all of our growers.  They will knock on lots of doors and talk to hundreds of people.  Because of your strong support for your political action committees, they will visit with many members of Congress at numerous political fundraisers.  Thank you for the PAC support that helps them, and us, communicate your message directly to the legislators.  There are many challenges before us and very aggressive opponents who are threatening our sugar policy.