[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 175 (Tuesday, November 7, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2122]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       POPCORN RESEARCH, PROMOTION, AND CONSUMER INFORMATION ACT

                                 ______


                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, November 7, 1995

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, today I am introducing the Popcorn Research, 
Promotion, and Consumer Information Act which will allow the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to issue an order establishing a popcorn 
checkoff program. This would be similar to other agricultural checkoff 
programs for dairy, beef, pork, eggs, potatoes, and soybeans, to name 
only a few.
  Americans consume 17.3 billion quarts of popcorn annually, or 68 
quarts per man, woman, and child. It is one of the most wholesome and 
economical foods available. Last year, over 7,500 acres in popcorn 
production were harvested in my home State of Iowa, which is also home 
to several of the major popcorn processors.
  The popcorn industry has always rallied to promote and market its 
product. As a result of these efforts, total popcorn sales have grown 
throughout the past several years, but a great potential exists to 
accelerate this trend with a larger, cooperative effort.
  Under a popcorn checkoff program, popcorn processors would first vote 
to determine whether the program should go into effect. If a majority 
votes in favor, each popcorn processor would pay a small assessment on 
each pound of popcorn marketed. The Secretary of Agriculture would then 
select a popcorn board, made up of people from the industry to 
administer the program, with oversight by the USDA. The funds collected 
would be used for research, promotion, and consumer information 
projects with the goal of increasing consumption of popcorn.
  I look forward to full consideration of the Popcorn Research, 
Promotion, and Consumer Information Act by the House of 
Representatives. This proposal will provide great benefits to the 
production of popcorn--and at no cost to the Federal Government.

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