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Special book commemorates 100 KLA conventionsKansas The Kansas Livestock Association is celebrating its 100th convention this year. Those attending the recent convention received a special book featuring photos from the previous 99 conventions to commemorate the observance. The book starts with an account of how KLA members gathered for the first convention in Topeka Dec. 10, 1913. Members decided to locate the KLA office in Topeka, where it remains to this day. The 1914 convention was held in Wichita, which has hosted 92 of the 100 KLA conventions and every one since 1951. Much of the book is focused on pictures of previous generations of KLA members who organized to address issues facing the livestock industry. Unreasonable railroad freight rates and cattle theft were the stimulus for gathering as a collective body in the early years. Perhaps a more important reason to hold the KLA Convention was the rancher-to-rancher information exchange that continues today. Many marquee names have appeared on the KLA Convention program over the years. Author and newspaper editor William Allen White spoke at the 1928 annual meeting, encouraging KLA members to advertise the health attributes of meat. Kansas City Royals all-star third baseman George Brett shared how he relies on beef as a protein source at the 1988 convention. Other big names to hit the KLA Convention stage have been former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Earl Butz in 1973, CBS news correspondent Bob Schieffer in 1974, news commentator Paul Harvey in 1976, Norman Vincent Peale in 1983, former Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw in 1985 and Tyson Foods President John Tyson in 2001. The commemorative photo book will be on sale through the KLA office. Date: 12/10/2012
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