[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 35 (Tuesday, March 18, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2483-S2484]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK

  Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of National 
Agriculture Week and to pay tribute to the farmers of this nation whose 
dedication and diligence throughout our history have not only served to 
feed our families, but have also provided a strong framework for the 
economic prosperity of this country.
  At the 1896 Democratic National Convention, it was William Jennings 
Bryan who recognized the importance of farmers, not only as the 
individuals who provide our sustenance, but as integral parts of the 
American business community. He said, ``The farmer who goes forth in 
the morning and toils all day, who begins in spring and toils all 
summer, and who by the application of brain and muscle to the natural 
resources of the country creates wealth, is as much a business man as 
the man who goes upon the Board of Trade and bets upon the price of 
grain.'' Today, when technology like weather trackers and cellular 
phones plays as important a role on the fields as it does on Wall 
Street, Bryan's words ring true.
  Bryan's other comment about farmers reminds us of a fact too often 
forgotten: ``The great cities,'' he said, ``rest upon our broad and 
fertile prairies.'' Indeed, the productivity of America's farmers not 
only keeps Americans fed, it also enables the rest of our citizens to 
embark upon their daily tasks and diverse careers without concern that 
the grocery's shelves will be empty.
  Our farmers are so productive that they sustain the lives of more 
than 250 million Americans every day and still have enough left over to 
make agriculture our nation's leading export. In 1930, 1 American 
farmer produced enough food to feed 24 people. Today, that same 1 
farmer is feeding 129 people. In fact, our farmers are so efficient 
that Americans spend approximately 9 percent of their income on food, 
compared with much higher figures in other countries, such as 17 
percent in Japan and 27 percent in South Africa.
  Yet the agricultural industry's contributions to our economy often go 
unrecognized. I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where my 
parents owned and operated a local restaurant. I spent much of my 
childhood working in that restaurant, and one of my clearest memories 
is of Saturday evenings, when the farmers would come to town to stock 
up on supplies after a hard week's work. Every Saturday, my parents 
would keep the restaurant open late, waiting for the farmers to arrive. 
Over the years, I gained a good understanding of the successes and 
hardships related to agriculture. In my house, we knew that if the 
farmers were successful, our own business would prosper.
  Since then, and the beginning of my career in public service, my 
contact with farmers from across the State of Maryland has confirmed my 
strong view that we cannot have real prosperity in this country if the 
farm sector itself is not sharing in and laying the foundation for that 
prosperity.
  Farmers bear a weighty burden. At the same time that their work feeds 
millions and includes efforts to cleanse a polluted environment, that 
work is also part of a very modern industry, which generates billions 
of dollars in revenue and employs more than 15 percent of our citizens. 
Yet unlike many other billion-dollar businesses, almost 90 percent of 
American farms are owned by individuals or families. Family farmers are 
the backbone of America's agricultural industry and we must ensure that 
they remain a vital part of American society.

  All of this is relevant, I believe, to this year's National 
Agriculture Week theme, ``Growing Better Every Day--Together.'' Indeed, 
we all must remain committed to working on behalf of our farmers at all 
levels of government. Only through such cooperation can we look forward 
to a future in agriculture which is even more successful than our 
present.
  In the State of Maryland, our attempts at such cooperation are indeed 
paying off. Recently, I have worked closely with State and local 
officials to support the efforts of farmers seeking to increase 
production by bolstering their existing export capabilities and 
identifying ways in which additional Maryland agribusinesses can enter 
foreign markets. Maryland is the eastern seaboard's fastest growing 
exporter. And with a strong and growing trade infrastructure--which 
includes the port of Baltimore, the World Trade Center, Baltimore-
Washington International Airport and other aggressive export-enhancing 
initiatives--we are hopeful that agriculture, as Maryland's number-one 
industry, will be able to further tap into the State's increasing 
number of international opportunities. New forums across Maryland--
which we have initiated together with the Maryland Department of 
Agriculture and our terrific Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Lewis 
Riley--are helping farmers take full advantage of our expanding 
capabilities and possibilities in this regard.
  We in Maryland take much pleasure in the achievements of our farmers. 
Generating more than $1.6 billion a year, agriculture employs about 14 
percent, or 350,000 of Maryland's workers.

[[Page S2484]]

Maryland's agricultural industry truly helps the State live up to its 
often used nickname, ``America in miniature.'' From vegetable 
production and horticulture in southern Maryland, to the dairy 
operations and horse farms of central Maryland, to the beef cattle, 
forestry products and tree fruit in western Maryland, to poultry 
growing on the eastern shore, Maryland agriculture is indeed diverse 
and provides a showcase for the nation's agricultural capabilities.
  Mr. President, we in Maryland and our nation are very proud of our 
agricultural industry. There is still much work to be done to ensure a 
bright future for America's farmers, but as this week's theme suggests, 
through a strong commitment at all levels of government--together--we 
can help continue to build such a future.

                          ____________________