[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 101 (Thursday, July 27, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8378-S8379]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
  S. 3746. A bill to authorize the Secretry of the Interior and the 
Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to facilitate the establishment 
of the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California; to 
the committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague Senator 
Feinstein to introduce a bill authorizing the Secretaries of 
Agriculture and Interior to make grants to facilitate the establishment 
of the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California. 
This bill will create a facility that will help teach visitors from all 
across the country about the significance of agriculture in our 
Nation's culture and economy, the importance of science in agriculture, 
and California's role as the Nation's preeminent agricultural State.
  This bill will designate $10 million in total grant funding to help 
fund construction costs of the center, with the

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federal share limited to 33 percent of the total cost. I am happy to 
report that the center is making great progress on raising private 
donations to complete its share of the construction funding.
  The center will help promote California's place as the Nation's most 
diverse and productive agricultural State. With the farmers, growers, 
and ranchers of our State producing over 350 different crops and 
commodities, and nearly 80,000 active farming operations, agriculture 
is one of California's most important industries. From our vineyards 
and wineries, to the almond, stone fruit, strawberry, cotton, and rice 
farms, to the citrus groves of central and southern California, to the 
dairy and cattle ranches across the State, farming and agriculture are 
ubiquitous in California and impact all of our communities in an 
important way.
  The farms, large and small, produce half of America's produce and are 
exported all across the globe, providing billions of dollars to our 
economy and balance of trade.
  The center's mission will place an emphasis on agricultural science 
education, with interactive, high-technology exhibits designed to 
foster an understanding of the importance of agriculture, and how 
science plays an essential role in the farm-to-food process. There will 
also be a strong focus on highlighting the important relationship 
between agriculture, conservation, and the environment.
  I would also like to thank Representatives Cardoza, Matsui and 
Radanovich for introducing a companion bill in the House of 
Representatives.
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