[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 166 (Monday, November 17, 2003)]
[House]
[Pages H11163-H11164]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RECOGNIZING AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE FOR 50 YEARS OF OUTSTANDING 
                                SERVICE

  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
Senate joint resolution (S.J. Res. 22) recognizing the Agricultural 
Research Service of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of 
outstanding service to the Nation through agricultural research.
  The Clerk read as follows:

                              S.J. Res. 22

       Whereas the Agricultural Research Service is the primary 
     research agency of the Department of Agriculture and provides 
     the Department of Agriculture and other Federal offices with 
     objective research that is critical to the missions of those 
     offices;
       Whereas the agricultural research conducted by the 
     Agricultural Research Service has an enormous impact on the 
     economic viability of agriculture in the United States and 
     around the world;
       Whereas people around the world, especially rural 
     Americans, enjoy a higher quality of life due in part to the 
     work of the Agricultural Research Service to expand 
     scientific knowledge;
       Whereas the Agricultural Research Service has achieved 
     major scientific breakthroughs that have benefited farmers, 
     ranchers, agribusiness, and consumers;
       Whereas the Agricultural Research Service has made 
     scientific discoveries and technological developments that 
     address agricultural problems of broad scope and high 
     national priority, ensure safe and high quality food and 
     other agricultural products that meet nutritional needs, and 
     maintain a quality environment and natural resource base; and
       Whereas the Agricultural Research Service continues to play 
     a vital role in maintaining the global competitiveness and 
     leadership of the United States in the next millennium: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
     United States of America in Congress assembled, That 
     Congress--
       (1) recognizes the Agricultural Research Service of the 
     Department of Agriculture for 50 years of outstanding service 
     to the Nation through agricultural research; and
       (2) acknowledges the promise of the Agricultural Research 
     Service to continue to perform outstanding agricultural 
     research in the next 50 years and beyond.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, Senate Joint Resolution 22 honors the Agricultural 
Research Service, the primary research agency of the United States 
Department of Agriculture. On Wednesday, October 29, the House 
Committee on Agriculture reported out an identical resolution, House 
Joint Resolution 74.
  Although ARS can trace its heritage back to early 19th century seed 
collection activities in the U.S. Patent Office, it was originally 
organized on November 2, 1953, when the USDA consolidated most of its 
research functions into one newly-named Agricultural Research Service.
  I am very pleased to help ARS mark its 50th anniversary and to use 
this occasion to recognize the important contributions ARS has made to 
the agricultural community, as well as to our Nation.
  ARS is a public institution that conducts agricultural research 
exclusively for the public good. ARS scientists and other employees 
serve the Nation in their capacity of public servants and are 
accountable to the American people. The research is often long-term and 
costly and unlikely to be undertaken by the private sector. The ARS 
discoveries and innovations touch the lives of every American through 
the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the environment in which we 
all live. Those of us from rural districts see firsthand the impact of 
ARS research but we should all be mindful of the agency's unique 
contributions to the quality of life for people everywhere. This impact 
is far greater than anyone could have imagined 50 years ago.
  To mark its five decades of public service and to look forward to the 
next 50 years and beyond of even greater service to this Nation, ARS 
will be celebrating with various events throughout the next year. In 
fact, in recognition of the local and national partnerships that are 
the foundation of much of their research, ARS has declared this a year 
of outreach and will hold an open house or in some other way throw open 
their doors at each location over the next year. With over

[[Page H11164]]

100 locations across the country, I hope you will support these 
activities and provide special encouragement for continued ARS 
leadership in the agricultural, natural resources and technological 
arenas.
  I urge all Members to support this important resolution.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 22, a resolution commending the 
USDA Agricultural Research Service for their 50 years of service to 
America. For half a century now, the ARS has been a leader in publicly-
funded basic and applied research. Given the structure of U.S. 
agriculture, individual family farms are certainly not able to provide 
for their own technical and research needs. Publicly-funded research 
entities such as ARS can provide the lead for long-term projects and 
have been an obvious and significant success to the benefit of the 
American people.
  Over the years, ARS scientists have made hundreds of technical 
advances, released thousands of new plant varieties, and contributed to 
the abundant food supply that all our citizens enjoy. My own State and 
district have benefited in many tangible ways from the work of the 
Agricultural Research Service, and I doubt that there are any of us 
here today who could not say the same thing. The ARS has contributed so 
very much to advances in the quality and quantity of our food supply, 
benefiting rural and urban dwellers alike.
  I congratulate the Agricultural Research Service on their 50 years of 
service and I look forward to continue working with them to enhance 
both American agriculture and the well-being of all our citizens. I 
encourage all Members to support this well-deserved resolution of 
commendation.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  This is a very important resolution. The ARS has done some wonderful 
work for us. This is one small way that Congress can say thank you and 
recognize their efforts.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Agriculture 
Research Service (ARS) of the Department of Agriculture for 50 years of 
outstanding research. ARS is the established leader in agriculture 
science, producing quality research used by many to help create 
responsible science-based policy. As we prepare to celebrate their 
accomplishments of the past half-century, it is also an opportunity for 
us to bear in mind future achievements.
  ARS is the largest science organization in the world dedicated to 
agriculture research. As the Department of Agriculture's in-house 
agency. ARS conducts research to solve problems that are of high 
national priority and in the best interests of the Nation. This science 
is vital to the mission area of several Department of Agriculture 
agencies such as the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service 
(APHIS), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS), Grain Inspection, 
Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA), and the Natural Resources 
Conservation Service (NRCS). ARS also serves a number of other Federal 
agencies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and some components within the 
Department of Defense (DOD), and the Department of Interior (DOI). Not 
only is ARS responsible for providing data to these agencies, they also 
distribute information to producers, consumers, and other stakeholders.
  It is easy to see that research is an essential tool, but it is also 
a worthy investment. Federal agriculture research is a critical element 
in maintaining our competitive edge in the international arena as well 
as helps us address environmental challenges. We can better protect our 
resources from plant pests and animal diseases and can expect improved 
water quality, resource conservation, and renewable sources of energy. 
The value of these should research programs benefit not only 
agriculture, but all Americans.
  ARS is able to carry out their mission of providing scientific 
research through collaborative efforts. There are more than 2,100 
scientists conducting research at approximately 100 locations across 
the country and overseas. At any given time, ARS has more than 1,000 
research projects underway, each of which is incorporated into one of 
22 national programs. The network of laboratories and research centers 
across the country allows ARS to address problems quickly and 
efficiently.
  I am proud to represent one center that has significantly contributed 
to this effort, the Beltsville Area Research Center (BARC), located in 
Beltsville, MD. I have worked with BARC over the years and have 
witnessed the work these researchers do and how critical it is to our 
daily lives.
  BARC is the largest and most diversified agricultural research 
complex in the world. Beltsville's record of accomplishments and 
programs has earned the center international accolade and attracts 
thousands of visitors each year. Research in the Beltsville area 
addresses issues of agriculture importance and high national priority 
through programs in the Plant Sciences Institute, the Animal and 
Natural Resources Institute, the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research 
Center, and the U.S. National Arboretum. I am sure BARC will live up to 
its reputation of producing high quality research on the cutting edge 
that will propel U.S. agriculture into the future.
  We should take great pride for the many milestones that have been met 
and continue to support ARS and American agriculture.
  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Mr. Speaker, for the past 50 years, the Agriculture 
Research Service, or ARS as they are better known, has performed 
indispensable agriculture research across the country, including in the 
Congressional District I represent. I would like to take this 
opportunity to recognize ARS in honor of their 50th anniversary as the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture's main research authority.
  From improving food safety to protecting crops and livestock, ARS has 
proved itself invaluable throughout the past 50 years. As the 
Department of Agriculture's research arm, they have been able to 
translate their raw data into profitability for farmers and lower costs 
for consumers. ARS has formed lasting partnerships with Universities 
throughout the nation, and has done so at Purdue University since 1965 
when they released their first nationwide soil erosion-prediction 
equation. ARS maintains top-notch Crop Production and Pest Control, 
Livestock Behavior, and National Soil Erosion Laboratory units at 
Purdue. ARS, in conjunction with Purdue, continues to stay on the 
leading edge of agricultural research. Just this summer, they released 
their cutting edge Water Erosion Prediction Project over the Internet 
with software known as GeoWEPP.
  From this research station, individuals such as Larry Dunkle, Donald 
Lay, and Darrell Norton have been able to study the agricultural 
dynamic of Northwest Indiana. They have all contributed a fundamental 
service to Northwest Indiana as well as the rest of the state, and 
their service with the ARS is indeed recognized and deeply appreciated. 
The agricultural community of Northwest Indiana has counted on their 
contributions of ARS for 50 years now, and that strong partnership will 
continue into the future.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join me as I congratulate ARS 
and its researchers on their 50th anniversary by supporting S.J. Res. 
22. I would further like to express my gratitude for their service to 
the agricultural community. Their accomplishments speak volumes, and I 
thank them for their vital public service.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the Senate joint resolution, S.J. Res. 22.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds of 
those present have voted in the affirmative.
  Mr. GUTKNECHT. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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