[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 157 (Wednesday, October 11, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    TRIBUTE TO ST. LUCIE COUNTY FOR BECOMING FLORIDA LEADING CITRUS 
                                PRODUCER

                                 ______


                            HON. MARK FOLEY

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 11, 1995

  Mr. FOLEY. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to pay tribute to St. Lucie 
County, FL, for becoming the State's largest producer of citrus 
products. I am exceptionally proud to represent the fine people of St. 
Lucie County and today, they are deserving of national recognition. 
Besides being the home of the State's most fertile citrus land, St. 
Lucie County is also the home of some of the best fishing on the 
eastern seaboard, a center of marine research, an excellent example of 
intermodal transportation, and a diverse group of people representing 
all areas of the country who are proud to call St. Lucie County, 
``home.''
  Mr. Speaker, many in Florida are unaware that agriculture is an 
extremely important component of the economy of the State of Florida. 
Florida is the largest agricultural State in the Southeast and the 
eighth largest in the Nation boasting annual farm cash receipts of $6.1 
billion. In so doing it provides direct employment for more than 
100,000 people and is an economic generator for an additional $18 
billion in economic activity.
  At the backbone of this economic activity is Florida's world famous 
citrus industry. Florida is the overwhelming producer of all citrus in 
the United States, accounting for more than 81 percent of the national 
total annually. In fact, Florida is the world leader in the production 
of grapefruit, accounting for 32.3 percent of the world's supply 
annually. The quality of Florida's fresh citrus products like 
grapefruit are world renown, especially those of the Indian River 
Region of which St. Lucie County is a part.
  In 1994-95, St. Lucie County became the State leader in citrus 
production by producing 32.4 million boxes of oranges, grapefruit and 
tangerines. This is a real tribute to the 500 growers of the 108,488 
acres of citrus and the hard working people in their groves, and the 
owners and employees of all the citrus related businesses. In St. Lucie 
County alone, citrus accounts for about $1 billion in economic activity 
for the county, while employing 20 percent of the county's work force.
  Previously, St. Lucie County had already ranked as the number one 
county in grapefruit production in the entire Nation. Because of the 
soil conditions that prevail on the eastern seaboard of Florida, 
grapefruit from the Indian River Region is the finest available in the 
world today. And now, this high quality high value crop is finding its 
niche world wide with millions of cartons of fruit exported annually.
  Mr. Speaker, the investment in citrus in Florida is a long-term 
investment, and the growth of the St. Lucie County crop is a credit to 
the perseverance of those who make the citrus industry the basis for 
their livelihood. Florida's citrus growers, producers, and workers 
persevere elements unique to south Florida that range from hurricanes 
to frosts. Their work is not a part of an overnight operation but 
rather a commitment to the entire community, economy, and industry. 
This is evidenced by a new processing plant and packing facility 
currently in the works, therefore, by the year 2000 the crop is 
expected to expand another 25 percent.
  I would like to extend my congratulations to everybody in St. Lucie 
County, this is an achievement that the entire county can take pride 
in. On behalf of the entire county I encourage everyone to drink more 
grapefruit and orange juice as it has been scientifically proven to 
better your health and state of mind, and that is something we all 
could use.

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