[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 65 (Monday, May 20, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING COMMUNICATING FOR AGRICULTURE AND SELF-EMPLOYED ON ITS 20TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. COLLIN C. PETERSON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 20, 2002

  Mr. PETERSON of Minnesota. Mr. Speaker, one of our country's leading 
rural organizations, Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-
employed, is celebrating their 30th anniversary this year.
  In the beginning, CA stood for Creamery Association and was made up 
largely of dairy farmers in cooperative creameries in western Minnesota 
and eastern North Dakota. In 1972 Milt Smedsrud founded the modern CA 
in Fergus Falls, Minnesota and the organization has since grown into a 
highly-respected national non-profit association representing tens of 
thousands of members, including farm, ranch, small business and self-
employed members nationwide.
  CA is a non-partisan organization known for legislative advocacy of 
common sense public policy, support of the private market system, 
dependable information, and for effective service programs for its 
members.
  One example of CA's advocacy work is their push for rural Americans' 
access to affordable, quality health care. In 1976, they were a lead 
supporter of legislation passed by the Minnesota legislature that 
established one of the first two state high-risk health insurance 
pools. Today, 30 states have passed legislation to establish health 
insurance risk pools guaranteeing that every one of their citizens has 
an opportunity to purchase health insurance protection. CA continues to 
work with several states to provide reliable information about risk 
pools.
  As a strong voice for family agriculture, CA continues to work for an 
effective farm economic safety net. In particular, they've been known 
for work on federal and state finance programs helping beginning 
farmers and ranchers. Sixteen states operate Aggie Bond tax-exempt 
beginning farmers programs today, largely with CA's efforts. More than 
6,000 young farmers and ranchers have been assisted through these 
programs since the first program was started in Iowa in 1981.
  Throughout their history, CA has been a forceful advocate for small 
business, and a particularly strong voice for fair tax policies for the 
self-employed, small business and agriculture.
  CA has also been a strong supporter of the education of young people. 
In 1985, the CA International Exchange Program was initiated to provide 
young people the opportunity to train and experience life and personal 
growth overseas. Today, CA exchange program has become the largest 
program of its kind in the country. Through CA's Scholarship and 
Education Foundation, more than $1.5 million has been raised and 
distributed to help young rural Americans throughout the country to 
further their education or take part in the international exchange 
program.
  Mr. Speaker, In the recent past, there's been a simple slogan used to 
describe CA's mission--``Good Ideas for Rural America.'' I urge my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing the past achievements of 
Communicating for Agriculture and the Self-Employed and wish them 
continued success in the future.

                          ____________________