[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 95 (Tuesday, July 8, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Pages S7023-S7024]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       SOUTH CAROLINA WATERMELONS: MOTHER NATURE'S PERFECT CANDY

 Mr. HOLLINGS. Mr. President, as Americans across the United 
States celebrated Independence Day this past weekend, many enjoyed the 
summer

[[Page S7024]]

delight of a red, juicy watermelon. I rise today to recognize 
watermelon farmers, the people who make this Fourth of July tradition 
possible.
  All day yesterday and today, my staff, along with the staffs of 
Representative John Spratt and Representative Jim Clyburn, will be 
delivering South Carolina watermelons to offices throughout the Senate 
and House of Representatives. Thanks to South Carolina watermelon 
farmers such as Jim Williams of Lodge in Colleton County, those of us 
here in Washington will be able to cool off from the summer heat with a 
delicious South Carolina watermelon.
  This year, farmers across South Carolina planted more than 11,000 
acres of watermelons. These are some of the finest watermelons produced 
anywhere in the United States. Watermelons of all varieties--Jubilees, 
Sangrias, Allsweets, Star Brites, Crimson Sweets, red seedless, yellow 
seedlesss, and other hybrids are produced in South Carolina and 
marketed across the Nation.
  Through the end of this month, farmers in Allendale, Bamberg, 
Barnwell, Colleton, Hampton, and other southern South Carolina counties 
will harvest hundreds of thousands of watermelons. In the Pee Dee areas 
around Chesterfield, Darlington, and Florence counties, the harvest 
will continue until about August 20.
  Mr. President, as we savor the taste of these watermelons, we should 
remember the work and labor that goes into producing such a delicious 
fruit. While Americans enjoyed watermelons at the beach and at backyard 
barbecues all over the Nation this past weekend, most did not stop to 
consider where they came from. Farmers will be laboring all summer in 
the heat and humidity to bring us what we call Mother Nature's perfect 
candy. These remarkable watermelons are sweet, succulent and, most 
importantly, nutritious and fat free. The truth is, Mr. President, that 
our farmers are too often the forgotten workers in our country. Through 
their dedication and commitment, our Nation is able to enjoy a 
wonderful selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and other foods. In 
fact, our agricultural system is the envy of the world.
  South Carolina farmers lead the way in the production of watermelons. 
For example, my State was a leader in the development of black plastic 
and irrigation to expand the watermelon growing season. By covering the 
earth in the spring with black plastic, farmers are able to speed up 
the melons' growth by raising soil temperatures. In addition, the 
plastic allows farmers to shut out much of the visible light, which 
inhibits weed growth. In addition, I am pleased to note that the 
scientists at the USDA Vegetable Laboratory in my hometown of 
Charleston continue to strive to find even more efficient and effective 
ways to produce one of our State's most popular fruits.
  Therefore, as Congressmen and their staffs feast on watermelons this 
week, I hope they all will remember the folks in South Carolina who 
made this endeavor possible: Jim Williams of Williams Farms in Lodge; 
Les Tindal, our State agriculture commissioner; Martin Eubanks and 
Minta Wade of the South Carolina Department of Agriculture; Randy 
Cockrell and the members of the South Carolina Watermelon Association; 
and finally, Bennie Hughes and the South Carolina Watermelon Board in 
Columbia. They all have worked extremely hard to ensure that 
Congressmen can get a taste of South Carolina.
  So, I hope everyone in our Nation's Capital will be smiling as they 
enjoy the pleasure of a South Carolina watermelon.

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