U.S. House of Representative from Ohio Robert “Bob” Gibbs was selected as the 2014 Wheat Leader of the Year Award by the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) at the annual Wheat Industry Winter Conference in Washington, D.C.

NAWG President Paul Penner, a farmer from Kansas, presented Representative Gibbs the award this morning in Rep. Gibbs’ office.

“It is an honor to be recognized by the National Association of Wheat Growers today. As a farmer, I appreciate all the work this organization does for the agriculture community. Our nation’s farmers provide high quality, safe and affordable food for American families and as the Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I am committed to ensuring they have the resources they need. I look forward to working with the Wheat Growers Association in the future and thank you for honoring me with this award,” said Rep. Bob Gibbs.

“We appreciate all the work Rep. Gibbs does on behalf of wheat farmers in Ohio and across the nation,” Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association President Chad Kemp commented. “We are proud to have him recognized as the 2014 Wheat Leader of the Year Award and thank him for his strong leadership.”

“Last year was a big year for wheat, and I feel honored to present the award to Representative Gibbs. We thank him for his leadership and look forward to his continued leadership in 2015,” said NAWG President Penner.

The Wheat Leader of the Year Award is given annually by NAWG to one member of Congress, regardless of party affiliation, whose philosophy and records demonstrate their commitment to the wellbeing of America’s wheat farmers. It is the wheat industry’s highest legislative award.