[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 49 Referred in Senate (RFS)]







108th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 49


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 26, 2003

  Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
                        Nutrition, and Forestry

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
Recognizing the important service to the Nation provided by the Foreign 
 Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture on the occasion 
                        of its 50th anniversary.

Whereas, during the terms of President Dwight David Eisenhower and the era of 
        Secretary of Agriculture Ezra Taft Benson, it became apparent that the 
        development of


external markets was needed to ensure the financial viability of the 
agricultural sector of the United States;

Whereas the Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture was 
        established on March 10, 1953, to develop and expand markets for, and 
        improve the competitive position of, United States agricultural 
        commodities and products;
Whereas the Foreign Agricultural Service has represented agricultural interests 
        of the United States during a period of great expansion of United States 
        agricultural exports from less than $3,000,000,000 in 1953 to over 
        $50,000,000,000 in 2002;
Whereas the number of organizations engaged in the public and private 
        partnership established by the Foreign Agricultural Service to promote 
        United States agricultural exports has grown significantly, with market 
        development and expansion occurring in nearly every global marketplace; 
        and
Whereas March 10, 2003, was the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the 
        Foreign Agricultural Service: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress recognizes the 
Foreign Agricultural Service of the Department of Agriculture and its 
employees and partners for--
            (1) cooperating with, and leading, the United States 
        agricultural community in developing and expanding export 
        markets for United States agricultural commodities and 
        products;
            (2) identifying the private partners capable of carrying 
        out the mission of the Foreign Agricultural Service;
            (3) identifying and expanding markets for United States 
        agricultural commodities and products;
            (4) introducing innovative and creative ways of expanding 
        the markets for United States agricultural commodities and 
        products;
            (5) providing international food assistance to feed the 
        hungry worldwide;
            (6) addressing unfair barriers to United States 
        agricultural exports;
            (7) implementing strict procedures governing the use and 
        evaluation of programs and funds of the Foreign Agricultural 
        Service; and
            (8) overseeing the efficient and effective use of Federal 
        funds to carry out programs of the Foreign Agricultural 
        Service.

            Passed the House of Representatives June 25, 2003.

            Attest:

                                                 JEFF TRANDAHL,

                                                                 Clerk.