Whitfield, as the Republican Co-Chair, founded the Turkey Caucus in 2001 along with his Democratic counterpart former Congressman Robert Wexler of Florida. Their original objective was to have 25 members in the Caucus. The growth of the Caucus, however, exceeded their expectations. At the time of his resignation, the membership was 155, with 43 of the 50 states and all six territories represented. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-TX/32nd) has succeeded Whitfield as the Republican Co-Chair of the Caucus. Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN/9th), Gerry Connolly (D-VA/11th) and Virginia Foxx (R-NC/5th) continue to serve as the other Caucus Co-Chairs. |