[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 124 (Tuesday, July 31, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1659-E1660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               FARM, NUTRITION, AND BIOENERGY ACT OF 2007

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    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. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2419, the 
Farm, Nutrition, and Bioenergy Act of 2007, better known as the Farm 
Bill. This measure reflects Rhode Island's priorities: protecting our 
farmers and surrounding environment and caring for the most vulnerable 
members of society.
  There has been much discussion about reforming the Farm Bill, 
particularly with regard to how payments are structured to producers of 
certain commodities like cotton, rice and sugar. H.R. 2419 begins this 
process by lowering the annual adjusted gross income of farmers 
eligible for subsidies from $2.5 million to $1 million. For farmers 
making $500,000 to $1 million, 67 percent of their income must come 
from farming or they cannot receive Federal subsidies. This structure 
will prevent millionaires from receiving farm subsidy benefits, and 
will also make payments transparent. While I believe we should go 
further with reform, I look forward to building on this restructuring 
in future legislation.
  This legislation increases funding for important conservation 
programs for Rhode Island, including the Environmental Quality 
Incentive Program, the Farm and Ranchland Protection Program, and the 
Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program. I am also pleased that H.R. 2419 
includes funding for specialty crops, which will benefit our fruit, 
vegetable and nursery crop farmers. These farmers, which make up a 
large percentage of Rhode Island's farming landscape, will now receive 
equal assistance and access to conservation programs.
  H.R. 2419 increases funding for the nutrition title, which includes 
food stamps and other programs aimed to combat hunger and improve 
nutrition for children, the elderly and low-income Americans. This bill 
reauthorizes programs such as the Community Food Projects program, 
which awards grants to non-profit groups that establish community food 
projects targeted to low-income individuals. This measure also 
increases funding for school nutrition programs for purchasing fruits, 
vegetables and nuts, and creates more avenues for produce to flow from 
local farmers to schools.

[[Page E1660]]

  Finally, H.R. 2419 also encourages the expansion of renewable energy 
research and production, contains a new section for horticulture and 
organic agriculture, and includes funding to make sure our food supply 
is safe and stable. Mr. Chairman, this legislation helps farmers meet 
growing environmental challenges, gives consumers more health food 
choices, and promotes critical renewable energy development. I look 
forward to passing this measure into law.

                          ____________________