2026 SESSION
INTRODUCED
26109604D
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 406
Offered March 12, 2026
Commending Ernest Eugene Copenhaver, Jr.
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Patron—O'Quinn
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WHEREAS, Ernest Eugene Copenhaver, Jr., a fifth-generation cattle producer from Meadowview in Washington County, was installed in 2026 as president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the oldest and largest organization representing cattle farmers and ranchers in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Ernest Eugene “Gene” Copenhaver, Jr., was raised on his family's farm in the Lodi community, where his parents, Ernest and Alberta Copenhaver, instilled in him a deep respect for the land, a commitment to community service, and a lifelong dedication to the beef industry, modeling values of stewardship, integrity, and producer advocacy that continue to guide his leadership today; and
WHEREAS, Copenhaver Brothers Farms, Inc., was founded by Ernest Copenhaver and his brother, S. B. Copenhaver, Jr., formalizing a family farming legacy dating back to the mid-1800s and establishing a diversified operation that evolved over time to reflect changing agricultural markets and regional strengths; and