Spratt Statement on Expected White House Appointment of Laurie Lawson

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) issued the following statement today on learning that President Barack Obama this afternoon will appoint Laurie C. Lawson the Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency in South Carolina.

“Laurie Lawson is a Darlington native who has owned and operated Lawson Farms, a diversified farming operation, for over fifty years.  He served eight years as Chairman of the South Carolina Agriculture Commission in the early 1980's.  In 1993, President Clinton appointed him Director of the Farm Services Agency.  He held that position for eight years.  In 2001, he became Clemson University’s Assistant to the Vice President of Public Service and Agriculture - a position he currently holds.  Lawson is a Clemson graduate with a degree in agronomy.

“The Farm Service Agency is a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture which administers federally-funded programs, such as the Farm Ownership and Marketing and Price Assistance Programs, in the state. The Agency has 37 county offices in South Carolina, each governed by farmer-elected county and community committees.  The Director oversees and coordinates each of these 37 county offices.

“The White House asked for three nominees, and Rep. Jim Clyburn and I named three, all highly qualified for the job - Laurie Lawson; Eloise McCrae, FSA Director in Marlboro County; and George Coleman, FSA Director in Fairfield County.  In the end, the White House chose Laurie Lawson.

“This is a big job and one that’s highly important to South Carolina farmers.  In choosing Laurie Lawson, the President selected someone who knows agriculture and the farm programs both.  He’s a farmer’s farmer and a veteran of the Farm Service Agency.”