[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 39 (Thursday, March 22, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2727]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

                                 ______
                                 

                       NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK

 Mr. DAYTON. Mr. President, this week, as our Nation celebrates 
National Agriculture Week, I can think of no better time for Congress 
to begin the important work of addressing the urgent needs of our 
Nation's family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.
  Through the hard work and innovation of our farmers and ranchers, we 
have long been the most bountiful Nation in the world. The average 
American farmer produces enough every year to feed and clothe 129 other 
people. Nowhere else do so few feed so many.
  Although only about 2 percent of our people work on the farm, 
agriculture remains a pillar of our economy. Twenty-one million 
Americans are employed transporting, processing, and distributing 
agricultural commodities. In Minnesota, agriculture represents 17 
percent of the State's economy and employs roughly 22 percent of the 
State's workers.
  Our family farmers and ranchers contribute as much to our national 
character as to our economy. The hard work and determination of our 
farmers has been the foundation and source of strength for our Nation 
since its earliest days. As they have done for generations, American 
farmers continue to meet adversity with the faith, fortitude, and 
ingenuity.
  But as we enter the 21st century, America's family farmers and 
ranchers face a number of challenges such as continuing low commodity 
prices, the increasing consolidation and concentration in the 
agricultural economy and Congress' failure to establish a strong safety 
net to help when good times go bad. I believe we, as a nation, should 
focus on ways to support and strengthen family farms and rural 
communities while ensuring a vibrant, competitive agricultural 
marketplace.
  I urge Congress to take immediate action to reverse farm and trade 
policies that have led to several years of low prices and driven 
thousands of producers in Minnesota and across the country out of 
business. What better way to honor the hard-working family farmers and 
ranchers who allow our Nation to enjoy the safest, most diverse, and 
most affordable food supply in the world.

                          ____________________