IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1557 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES July 26, 2010 Mr. Cardoza submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture RESOLUTION Supporting the facility under development by the Stanislaus County Ag Center Foundation, in Stanislaus County, California, known as the National Ag Science Center.

Whereas the United States was founded on the strength of agriculture production, which helped to establish the United States among the world’s most powerful and prosperous nations; Whereas the importance of agriculture in the United States continues to grow, as American farmers and ranchers produce the food, fiber, and agricultural products that keep the United States strong and bountiful and that help feed a hungry world; Whereas agriculture from field-to-fork and pond-to-plate is an economic engine generating more than $258 billion in cash receipts annually for the United States economy; Whereas agricultural exports account for more than 20 percent of United States exports; Whereas the agricultural industry is challenged to find ways to address the diverse needs of agriculture in regions with very different products, climates, and experiences and must continue to work together to find ways to both support agricultural production and ensure that consumers continue to have access to the world’s safest and most abundant food and agriculture products; Whereas one of the challenges facing American agriculture is to continue to attract the best and brightest minds to the industry and to foster public awareness of agriculture’s role in the United States and world economy; Whereas fewer Americans understand the fundamental importance of agriculture to American society; Whereas educating young Americans about agriculture and its importance to the United States is an investment that will pay off in future benefits as citizens of all ages, especially youth, will play a meaningful, hands-on role in determining the future of American agriculture; Whereas greater public understanding and appreciation of the importance of agriculture to California, the United States, and the world is needed to secure a positive future, in which the United States can rely on healthy food that is produced domestically; Whereas, as planners, conservationists, and other interested persons throughout the United States organize to help protect agricultural resources, the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California, is preparing to educate and alert future generations about the need to preserve agricultural land and foster an understanding of the importance of agriculture; Whereas the National Ag Science Center will be a showcase of science and technology in American agriculture whose mission is to inspire, excite, and enrich people of all ages through unique, interactive opportunities that highlight the role science and technology contribute to the production, processing, and marketing of America’s food and fiber; Whereas, on November 28, 2007, a memorandum of understanding for the dedication of a 3.5-acre site on the West Campus of Modesto Community College for the National Ag Science Center was executed by the Stanislaus County Ag Center Foundation and the Yosemite Community College District; Whereas the name National Ag Science Center and an accompanying logo are registered by the United States Patent and Trademark Office; and Whereas the National Ag Science Center will enable future generations to help assure a healthy and profitable place for agriculture in the economy of California and the United States: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives supports the facility under development by the Stanislaus County Ag Center Foundation, in Stanislaus County, California, known as the National Ag Science Center.