[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 26 (Thursday, March 10, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 10, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

  The Senate proceeded to consider the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 163) 
to proclaim March 20, 1994, as ``National Agriculture Day,'' which had 
been reported from the Committee on the Judiciary, was considered, 
ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, read the third time and 
passed.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The joint resolution with its preamble is as follows:

                             S.J. Res. 163

       Whereas agriculture is the Nation's largest and most basic 
     industry, and its associated production, processing, and 
     marketing segments together provide more jobs than any other 
     single industry;
       Whereas the United States agricultural sector serves all 
     Americans by providing food, fiber, and other basic 
     necessities of life;
       Whereas the performance of the agricultural economy is 
     vital to maintaining the strength of our national economy, 
     the standard of living of our citizens, and our presence in 
     the world trade markets;
       Whereas the Nation's heritage of family-owned, family-
     operated farms and ranches has been the core of the American 
     agricultural system and continues to be the best means for 
     assuring the protection of our natural resources and the 
     production of an adequate and affordable supply of food and 
     fiber for future generations of Americans;
       Whereas the American agricultural system provides American 
     consumers with a stable supply of the highest quality food 
     and fiber for the lowest cost per capita in the world;
       Whereas American agriculture continually seeks to maintain 
     and improve the high level of product quality and safety 
     expected by the consumer;
       Whereas the public should be aware of the contributions of 
     all people--men and women--who are a part of American 
     agriculture and its contributions to American life, health, 
     and prosperity;
       Whereas women play a vital role in maintaining the family 
     farm system, both as sole operators and as working partners, 
     and are also attaining important leadership roles throughout 
     the American agricultural system;
       Whereas farm workers are an indispensable part of the 
     agricultural system as witnessed by their hard work and 
     dedication;
       Whereas scientists and researchers play an integral part in 
     the agricultural system in their search for better and more 
     efficient ways to produce and process safe and nutritious 
     agricultural products;
       Whereas farmers and food processors are responding to the 
     desire of health-conscious American consumers by developing 
     more health-oriented food products;
       Whereas distributors play an important role in transporting 
     agricultural products to retailers who in turn make the 
     products available to the consumer;
       Whereas our youth--the future of our Nation--have become 
     involved through various organizations in increasing their 
     understanding and our understanding of the importance of 
     agriculture in today's society;
       Whereas it is important that all Americans should 
     understand the role that agriculture plays in their lives and 
     well-being, whether they live in urban or rural areas; and
       Whereas since 1973, the first day of spring has been 
     celebrated as National Agriculture Day by farmers and 
     ranchers, commodity and farm organizations, cooperatives and 
     agribusiness organizations, nonprofit and community 
     organizations, other persons involved in the agricultural 
     system, and Federal, State, and local governments: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That March 
     20, 1994, is proclaimed ``National Agriculture Day'', and the 
     President is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation 
     calling upon the people of the United States to observe this 
     day with appropriate ceremonies and activities during the 
     week of March 14 through March 20.

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