[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 43 (Thursday, March 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E403]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




REGARDING MARCH AS NATIONAL PEANUT MONTH AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF TEXAS 
                            PEANUT PRODUCERS

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                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 13, 2008

  Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON of Texas. Madam Speaker, today I rise in 
appreciation of the Texas peanut industry.
  March is National Peanut Month, and it is timely to thank peanut 
farmers all over the great State of Texas for the work of their hands. 
Texas ranks second in the Nation in peanut production. The annual value 
of peanuts to our State is more than $96 million.
  As baseball is America's favorite pastime sport, what would a day at 
the ballpark be without a bag of peanuts? How would a child's favorite 
sandwich taste without the creamy goodness of peanut butter?
  Few can deny the deliciousness of peanut brittle, peanut butter cups, 
plain roasted or boiled peanuts. The legumes are used in a great 
variety of ways and are an important industry to our State and Nation.
  Texas peanut farmers produced nearly 370,000 tons of peanuts last 
year. The primary uses of peanuts, nationwide, are for popular 
confections. Peanuts are roasted and packaged in plastic bags or sealed 
cans. They are also used in significant quantities for peanut butter.
  Texas is a state of grand scale. There were 190,000 acres of peanuts 
grown in Texas in 2007; the varieties include Runner, Spanish, Virginia 
and Valencia. Agriculture and cattle ranching are major Texas 
industries, and it is fitting to recognize those who work the fields so 
that people everywhere can enjoy the products of their labor.
  Madam Speaker, the Texas Peanut Producers Board and the Western 
Peanut Growers Association are valuable assets to Texas as leading 
producers in their industry. It is my privilege to recognize their 
contributions to our State's economy.

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