Vienna, Va. – The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) today issued its report card for the 107th Congress, grading members of Congress from apple-producing states and congressional districts on their support of key issues of economic importance to U.S. apple growers.

Six members of the U.S. House of Representatives, and seven members of the U.S. Senate, will receive USApple's top public affairs award, the Golden Apple Award, for their support of key apple industry issues.

Recognized in the House for their outstanding support of U.S. apple industry issues are: Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.); Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.); Rep. George Nethercutt (R-Wash.); Rep. George Radanovich (R-Calif.); Rep. Tom Reynolds (R-N.Y.); and Rep. John Sweeney (R-N.Y.). Reps. Hastings, Nethercutt and Sweeney are receiving Golden Apple Awards for the second time, having also been recognized for the support of industry priorities during the 106th Congress, the first time USApple awarded its Golden Apples.

Senators receiving the Golden Apple Award are: Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.); Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho); Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.); Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.); Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.); Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine); and Sen. John Warner (R-Va.). Sen. Craig is receiving the award for the second time.

"Our industry, from our national trade association to our growers in the field, owes these members of Congress especially a debt of gratitude for their unfailing support of issues critical to our industry," said USApple President and CEO Nancy E. Foster. "They have tirelessly supported the issues that can best assist our industry in moving forward from the challenging times we currently find ourselves in to profitability, in today's global apple marketplace."

Senators from the 36 states and members of the House from the 164 congressional districts that represent U.S. commercial apple production were graded on their support of key apple industry issues. Members of the House were evaluated on their support for apple market loss assistance funding, the industry's antidumping case against below-cost exporters of apple juice concentrate from China and passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), as well as for their sponsorship of legislation to reform the H2A agricultural guest worker program.

Members of the Senate were evaluated on their support of market loss assistance funding that was passed as part of the Farm Bill, the industry's concentrate antidumping case and TPA passage, and for their sponsorship of H2A program reform.

"We encourage our industry members to thank their elected officials we are recognizing today," said Foster. "And if your congressman or senator didn't make the grade, then reach out and educate them, and tell them you look forward to their support in the future."

Note: The text of this release can be downloaded from the News Room section of USApple's Web site, at http://www.usapple.org/media/newsreleases/index.cfm.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state and regional apple associations representing the 8,000 apple growers throughout the country, as well as more than 400 individual firms involved in the apple business. The U.S. Apple Association's mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.