[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 123 (Monday, July 30, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1648]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FARM, NUTRITION, AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, July 27, 2007

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 2419) to 
     provide for the continuation of agricultural programs through 
     fiscal year 2012, and for other purposes:

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 
2419, the Farm Bill Extension Act of 2007. The House Agriculture 
Committee has produced a comprehensive farm bill that represents true 
reform. Not only is the focus on getting vital benefits to family 
farmers and investing in America's producers; but it aims at 
stimulating rural economies, and securing renewable energy resources.
  Chairman Peterson has constructed an outstanding House Farm bill of 
which my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can be proud. H.R. 2419 
protects family farmers and agriculture in America in a fiscally 
responsible way, and provides the freedom and the support that farmers 
need to compete and succeed at the business they know best--providing 
food, fiber and fuel for all Americans.
  Furthermore, the 2007 Farm Bill addresses many of my grave concerns 
about improved access to socially disadvantaged, and more specifically 
black farmers by providing Mandatory funding of the 2501 Socially 
Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers Outreach Program. Allowing deserving 
claimants in Pigford v. Glickman an opportunity to have their cases 
heard with a fund created to redress civil rights abuses against Black 
Farmers is an important step to providing justice to these families.
  This bill further makes major and timely reforms to the nutrition 
title, especially the Food Stamp program which increases and indexes 
benefits for the 26 million Americans that participate in this program 
each month. The House Agriculture Committee has also taken into 
consideration the need for expanding senior farmer markets and school 
snack programs, so that our elderly and youth have access to the proper 
amounts of fruits and vegetables to lead healthier lives.
  Mr. Chairman, I encourage passage of H.R. 2419 that will both extend 
and reform our nation's farm and nutrition programs into 2012. It is a 
well balanced approach to maintaining the gains we have made in prior 
legislation, and makes the necessary improvements to lead us into the 
future.

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