[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 27 (Friday, March 11, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: March 11, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

  Mr. WYNN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee on 
the Judiciary be discharged from further consideration of the Senate 
joint resolution (S.J. Res. 163) to proclaim March 20, 1994, as 
``National Agriculture Day,'' and ask for its immediate consideration.
  The Clerk read the title of the Senate joint resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, I do not 
object, but I would simply like to inform the House the minority has no 
objection to the legislation being considered.
  Mr. de la GARZA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join in support of the 
passage of Senate Joint Resolution 163, to proclaim March 20, 1994 as 
National Agriculture Day.
  National Agriculture Day has been observed annually for the past 21 
years. It is quite simply a day set aside for our Nation to commemorate 
the many and important contributions of American agriculture to our 
Nation's economy and our individual lives.
  How important is American agriculture today?
  American agriculture is the economic foundation of not only rural 
America, but urban America. It is the source of the food that all of us 
rely on each and every day for sustenance and the fiber that clothes 
our bodies. American agriculture is the starting point for our Nation's 
enormous food and fiber sector which accounts for 16 percent of our 
Nation's GNP and 23 million jobs.
  American agriculture is the steward of the lion's share of our 
Nation's privately held soil and water resources, a responsibility that 
our Nation's farmers and ranchers take very seriously because 
sustainable use of resources is absolutely necessary to their future.
  American agriculture is the world's most efficient and diverse 
producer of food, enabling American consumers to be the best-fed people 
in the history of the world for the least amount of disposable income, 
and through its exports contributing to a more favorable balance of 
trade for our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, the designation of March 20 as National Agriculture Day 
will--at least in a small way--increase the public's awareness of the 
role of American agriculture, our Nation's largest industry.
  This resolution allows our Nation to collectively say thank you to 
all the men and women involved in American agriculture. I appreciate 
the support and cooperation of the Committee on Post Office and Civil 
Service and Chairman Clay in bringing up the resolution, and the 
gentleman from Maryland [Mr. Wynn] for managing the bill today.
  I also want to say thank you to all of my colleagues here in the 
House who joined as cosponsors of House Joint Resolution 317, making it 
possible for us to consider the Senate companion today. Finally, I 
would like to acknowledge the assistance of Debbie Smith of the House 
Agriculture Committee staff who was instrumental in shepherding this 
resolution through the necessary legislative process.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of Senate Joint Resolution 163.
  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to withdraw my reservation of 
objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Maryland?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the Senate joint resolution, 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.
  The Senate joint resolution was ordered to be read a third time, was 
read the third time, and passed, and a motion to reconsider was laid on 
the table.

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