Nomination of Kip Tom of Leesburg for ambassador position moves forward

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee voted unanimously to support the nomination of Leesburg resident Kip Tom as ambassador and U.S. representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture.

The Senate committee voted unanimously on the nomination Tuesday.

Tom, of Leesburg, is the chairman of Tom Farms.

U.S. Sens. Todd Young and Joe Donnelly touted his nomination, which heads to the full Senate for a final vote.

Young, who serves as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee that oversees multilateral development and the United Nations, recommended the nomination in a letter to President Donald Trump more than a year ago.

“Kip Tom is uniquely qualified to serve in this position that is so important to international food security, and I am pleased that the Senate Foreign Relations Committee agreed and supported his nomination unanimously. I look forward to doing all I can to ensure the full Senate confirms him without delay,” Young said.

Donnelly added, “I am pleased the Foreign Relations Committee unanimously supported Kip Tom’s nomination, and I look forward to the full Senate vote. Kip exemplifies the best of Hoosier values and I expect he will do an outstanding job as the first Hoosier representing the United States at the UN.”

During his nomination hearing, Tom provided an opening statement that detailed his Indiana roots, experience and desire to serve in the position.

Tom is an agri-business leader and a former congressional candidate. He has been providing advice to Trump on policy issues since the 2016 Trump campaign.