[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10316]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE INTERNATIONAL FERTILIZER DEVELOPMENT CENTER

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, I wish to honor the International 
Fertilizer Development Center, IFDC, as it celebrates the 35th 
anniversary of its founding today, October 8.
  In the wake of the worldwide food and energy shortages of the 1970s, 
the IFDC was established in Muscle Shoals, AL, to be a national center 
of excellence with expertise in fertilizers to service the needs of 
developing countries. Since its inception, the IFDC has worked to 
address issues such as international food security, the alleviation of 
global hunger and poverty, environmental protection, and the promotion 
of economic development and self-sufficiency.
  Today, with staff members working in 30 nations throughout Africa, 
the Near and Far East, and Latin America, the IFDC is critical to 
ensuring underdeveloped countries have more efficient fertilizer and, 
therefore, food for their people. The IFDC has helped increase 
sustainable food production in more than 130 nations and has also 
contributed to the development of institutional capacity-building 
through training.
  I sincerely congratulate the IFDC on its anniversary and wish it 
continued success in Muscle Shoals and abroad.

                          ____________________