Legendary broadcaster to be honored at DETCOG event

Special to the News-Times

LUFKIN — For more than 36 years, Horace McQueen was known as the voice of agriculture in Texas. During most of those years, thousands of East Texans started their day with him on his popular Farm and Ranch News on KTRE-TV in Lufkin and KLTV-TV in Tyler.

Over the years he has won many awards, including the National Farm Broadcaster of the Year and the Man of the Year in Texas Agriculture.

On June 22, the Deep East Texas Council of Governments will bestow another honor on McQueen — the prestigious Ralph W. Steen East Texan of the Year.

The award will be presented during DETCOG’s Annual Membership and Awards Luncheon to be held Thursday at Noon at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin.

The Steen award honors an individual who has played a major role in leadership and service to Deep East Texas. DETCOG President and Shelby County Judge Allison Harbison says Horace McQueen fits the bill perfectly.

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“Agriculture is so important to our region and always has been,” she said. “It is very fitting that our East Texan of the Year is someone who has devoted his life to promoting agriculture, which is more than just a big part of our economy — it’s a way of life for many of our residents. We invite everyone to come celebrate with us and honor Mr. McQueen and our other award recipients.”

This marks the 48th consecutive year DETCOG has presented the Ralph W. Steen East Texan of the Year Award. In 1976, Dr. Steen was retiring after 20 years as President of Stephen F. Austin State University. To honor his contributions to the region DETCOG presented the first East Texan of the Year Award to him and then decided to make it an annual presentation in his honor.

Other awards to be presented at the DETCOG annual meeting include the President’s Award which recognizes outstanding service on a DETCOG committee. The Key Contributor Award recognizes a staff member who has contributed greatly to the organization’s success. The Star Partner Award honors an employee or official in a state or federal agency. The DETCOG Employee of the Year and Program Director of the Year for 2022 will also be recognized at the event.

Luncheon tickets are $25 and reserved tables are also available. RSVPs are appreciated. Anyone needing information may contact Executive Assistant Lacy Sargent at the DETCOG office in Lufkin at (936) 634-2247 extension 5254.

DETCOG, organized in 1966, is a voluntary association of local governments in the 11-county region encompassing all of Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Newton, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, San Jacinto, Shelby, Trinity, and Tyler counties.

DETCOG was established in November of 1966 as an Economic Development District under the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration. In 1968 the organization also became a political subdivision of the State of Texas as a Regional Planning Commission under state law. Current membership includes 11 counties, 34 cities, the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas, plus a number of other entities including school districts, river authorities, special purpose districts, and sustaining members.

“Above all, DETCOG is an organization of, by, and for the local governments of Deep East Texas,” said Executive Director Lonnie Hunt. “We exist to support our member governments and serve their residents.”