Tom Harkin: “I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Todd A. Batta of Iowa on his confirmation as Assistant Secretary…”

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Todd A. Batta of Iowa on his confirmation as Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Congressional Relations. I can personally attest that he is very well qualified and will undoubtedly do an outstanding job in his new position. It has been a pleasure for me to know Todd and his family for many years. He grew up in Lanesboro, IA, where his parents, Rick and Wanda, currently reside. His aunt, Bev Schroeder, was a member of my staff for over 20 years, both in Iowa and here in Washington, working on education policy and other matters. In fact, Todd's first political work was to help hand out Harkin information at parades when he was just three or 4 years old. Todd began serving on my staff as an intern in the summer of 2001, after receiving his B.A. from Winona State University, and later worked for me as a researcher, deputy scheduler, and scheduler. In 2005, he moved from my personal office to work as a professional staff member on the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, during the time I served as either ranking member or chairman. It is Todd's good fortune to be married to Adrianna Logalbo. They began dating when Todd was on my staff. So, as I say, Todd and his family have been good friends to me for a very long time From 2009 to 2011, Todd was a legislative assistant on the staff of Senator Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, handling agriculture and agriculture appropriations for Senator Kohl.…”