[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 110 (Tuesday, July 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1863]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     RECOGNIZING 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE

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                               speech of

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 20, 2009

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H. Con. Res. 
164, a resolution recognizing the 40th anniversary of the Food and 
Nutrition Services (FNS) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
  I'd like to thank my colleague, Rep. Jim McGovern, for introducing 
this resolution; and for his commitment to ending hunger in America.
  As Chairman of the House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, I am 
proud to stand today in support of the mission of the FNS--to provide 
access to nutrious foods to needy American families.
  Since 1969, the FNS has been promoting sound nutrition and working to 
end hunger in America.
  Every day, 36 million Americans are given access to healthy foods 
they may otherwise not be able to afford if not for the good work done 
by so many individuals at the FNS.
  I am proud of the numerous improvements we made to federal nutrition 
programs in the 2008 farm bill.
  This includes a $10 billion increase in funding that puts food on the 
table for more veterans, elderly, disabled, and needy American 
families.
  But none of these funding improvements would have made a difference 
if it wasn't for the great work of the FNS and its dedicated staff 
members stationed across the United States.
  In today's terrible economic climate--the mission of the FNS, to 
prevent hunger in America, is more important than ever.
  I urge my colleagues to express their support for the great work of 
the dedicated Americans at the FNS, and vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 
164.

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