[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 86 (Friday, May 23, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1059]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 2419, FOOD, CONSERVATION, AND ENERGY ACT OF 
                                  2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                            HON. MARK UDALL

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 21, 2008

  Mr. UDALL of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, today the President vetoed the 
Farm Bill conference report--a significant piece of legislation that is 
supported by the vast majority of the House of Representatives. While I 
am disappointed with the President's veto, I am proud to stand with so 
many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in making the Farm 
Bill law.
  This bill, while not perfect, addresses some of the most pressing 
issues facing our nation today. Perhaps most importantly, this bill 
will provide millions of Americans with access to healthy food, 
especially those hit hardest by the President's failed economic 
policies. Nearly three-quarters of the bill's funding will promote 
nutrition initiatives such as increased access to food stamps, 
emergency food assistance programs, and a program to supply our schools 
with fresh fruits and vegetables as a healthy snack alternative to 
reduce our unacceptably high ratio of obese children.
  This bill will help my home state of Colorado continue to lead the 
nation in developing renewable energy technologies, and will help our 
nation move closer to energy independence, while reducing overly 
generous tax credits for corn-based ethanol, and creating a better tax 
credit for the production of more efficient cellulosic biofuels, such 
as switch grass and wood chips.
  The bill also ensures that farmers in Colorado and around the nation 
have some protections should a natural disaster befall them. This 
action may foster lower future grocery prices by speeding up disaster 
compensation for lost crops and allowing farmers to bring new crops to 
market faster. Meanwhile, conservation programs included in the bill 
will help further protect sensitive rural fields from urban sprawl and 
harmful over farming, while encouraging public access to private land.
  Of particular interest to Colorado, this bill includes legislation I 
introduced that will protect the future of Colorado's unique collection 
of mutual ditch companies and the precious water rights that they share 
for the mutual benefit of all Coloradans.
  To be sure, I would have preferred this bill include tighter reforms 
on farm subsidies, especially when many farmers are reporting surging 
profits. But no compromise can he all things to all people, and while 
this Farm Bill is not perfect, it is good for Colorado and for our 
nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in overriding the President's 
flawed national priorities when it comes to agriculture, energy 
independence and ensuring that American families have food on their 
tables.

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