Due to U.S.Congressman Frank D. Lucas being a conferee on the Farm Bill which was set to expire Friday at midnight, he was unable to attend Friday night’s annual Altus Chamber of Commerce banquet. Although President Bush did sign a one week extension of the Farm Bill Friday, Lucas, who was set to be the banquet’s keynote speaker, was unable to leave Washington for the event. Garrett King, a field representative for Lucas, attended the banquet and addressed the group before four local leaders who are knowledgeable about the past, present and future events in the development of Jackson County spoke. They were Rep. David Braddock, center right; Dr. Joe Leverett, Chairman of the Military Board; Tom Buchanan, Lugert-Altus Irrigation District; and Senator Mike Schulz, top. A framed lithograph of “The Vision Seeker” was presented to King for Lucas by Master of Ceremonies and Chairman of the Board of the Altus Chamber of Commerce, Devin Graves, bottom right.

Altus Times photos by A.J. Vilar