BISMARCK, ND. – Governor Jack Dalrymple congratulated former Governor and U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer who was honored today during the unveiling of his official portrait at the U.S. Department of Agriculture headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Schafer’s portrait was unveiled during an afternoon ceremony at the Jamie L. Whitten Building, USDA’s headquarters. Schafer was sworn in as the 29th Secretary of Agriculture on Jan. 28, 2008, serving during the last year of the George W. Bush Administration. Schafer also served as North Dakota’s governor from 1992 to 2000.

“While serving as our nation’s agriculture secretary and North Dakota’s governor, Ed Schafer was a dedicated public servant.  His leadership and commitment to North Dakota will have a lasting impact on our state,” Dalrymple said. “It’s fitting that his portrait will be on display in the Whitten Building where he worked tirelessly on behalf of American agriculture.”