[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 112 (Wednesday, July 28, 2010)]
[House]
[Pages H6258-H6259]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          GROWN IN AMERICA ACT

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 1558) expressing the sense of the House of 
Representatives that fruit and vegetable and commodity producers are 
encouraged to display the American flag on labels of products grown in 
the United States, reminding us all to take pride in the healthy bounty 
produced by American farmers and workers.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 1558

       Whereas American farmers produce the most abundant food 
     supply in the entire world;
       Whereas, on average, each farmer provides enough food and 
     fiber to meet the needs of 155 people in the United States 
     and abroad;
       Whereas the majority of farms in the United States are 
     family owned;
       Whereas everyday products from crayons to fuel are produced 
     by America's farmers and ranchers;
       Whereas American farmers take pride in their yearly 
     harvest, and consumers value ``grown in America'' produce, 
     and in doing so contribute to the protection of American's 
     ability to be self-sufficient, create jobs, and remain a 
     world leader;
       Whereas rural Americans honorably serve their country in 
     peace time and in war, sacrificing their lives for their land 
     and Nation;
       Whereas, as a sign of support, rural Americans regularly 
     display the flag in their homes, on their barns, and anyplace 
     else they can find to share their love of flag and country;
       Whereas this bounty is not only a symbol of the 
     selflessness of the American farmer but is a symbol of the 
     generosity of our Nation;
       Whereas the image of the American flag gives inspiration to 
     our Nation's farmers that produce our most valued products 
     that we are so dependent on;
       Whereas the American flag is our most honored national 
     symbol;
       Whereas the American flag commands respect and admiration;
       Whereas the American flag reminds us of our Nation's 
     commitment to hard work and our historic ability to rise to 
     any occasion;
       Whereas the American flag symbolizes freedom, the 
     entrepreneurial spirit, and the path to our own individual 
     destinies;
       Whereas the American flag symbolizes the noble dreams of 
     our founding fathers, the freedoms fought for by our 
     soldiers, and the most noble aspirations in history of the 
     human spirit; and
       Whereas the American flag has served throughout our 
     Nation's history as the needle with which we have sewn our 
     patriotic seed: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of 
     Representatives that fruit and vegetable and commodity 
     producers are encouraged to display the American flag on 
     labels of products grown in the United States, reminding us 
     all to take pride in the healthy bounty produced by American 
     farmers and workers.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Cardoza) and the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Schmidt) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.


                             General Leave

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks 
on House Resolution 1558.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from California?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  2050

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, in my district my farmers produce a bounty of fruits and 
vegetables that feed families across the country and abroad. My farmers 
work hard in the field every single day. They love their families, 
their farms, and the healthy products that they grow. They also love 
their country. As with many of my constituents, they are proud to fly 
the American flag on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
  My resolution, the Grown in America Act, encourages farmers across 
the country to feature the American flag on their packaging so that all 
Americans know quickly and easily that the food that they are feeding 
their families is grown with pride right here in the good old USA.
  In the U.S., we have 310 million consumers to feed, and much of the 
food is supplied by our hardworking farmers right here at home. Whether 
you realize it or not, agriculture is at the center of many of our 
vital issues: feeding the hungry, improving our health, addressing the 
crisis of childhood obesity,

[[Page H6259]]

emphasizing the importance of the school lunch program and much, much 
more.
  Where does that food come from? From people across the United States 
who are becoming more curious about their food sources. They want to 
know more about the food products themselves and who grew it.
  This resolution also has a practical application. Starting in 2002, 
Congress mandated that all food products be labeled with their country 
of origin. We had a sense that consumers wanted to know the true 
origins of their food. And when given that choice, consumers will 
choose an American-made product most every time. This choice 
strengthens demand and prices for U.S. farmers and ranchers. It is also 
important that the public understand the vital role domestic 
agriculture carries out to produce the safest and highest quality food 
in the world.
  Agriculture not only serves the public with high quality food, but it 
also creates jobs right here. In a time of economic hardship, a strong 
agricultural sector is needed to ensure employment at multiple levels. 
We often use the expression ``farm to fork'' in reference to the jobs 
gained as a certain commodity is grown, harvested, packed, bagged, 
labeled, shipped, and sold at local farmers' markets and in our 
neighborhood grocery stores.
  With this resolution, consumers can be even more empowered to choose 
American products over foreign imports. The flag clearly communicates 
the origin of the fruit or vegetable, and it's easier to read than the 
fine print at the bottom of the label that reads ``Product of the 
USA.''
  If we want to feed our children the healthiest possible foods and 
simultaneously try to create jobs in our country, then we need to 
encourage American production of American products. I'm proud of the 
great agricultural tradition of this country, Mr. Speaker, and I 
encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of House Resolution 1558, which 
expresses the sense of Congress that our Nation's farmers use the 
American flag to promote fruits, vegetables, and commodities produced 
in the United States.
  In the early 20th century, about 40 percent of Americans were engaged 
in agricultural production. Today, that number is down to 1.75 percent. 
Our Nation's farmers and ranchers provide Americans the safest, most 
affordable, and most abundant food supply in the history of the world. 
Our bounty of sustainable and nutritious food is so great that we also 
feed countless millions around the world.
  America's farmers and ranchers endure uncertain weather, regulatory 
burdens, and animal and plant disease and pest threats in order to 
participate in a highly competitive global market. This resolution 
encourages them to stand tall for what they provide for us every day.
  When passage of the 2008 farm bill closed the long-running debate on 
mandatory country-of-origin labeling for fruits, vegetables, meat, and 
poultry, there remained considerable concern among opponents that we 
should not impose labeling on our producers. The reasoning held that 
origin labeling is an element of marketing and should be left to the 
producers, processors, packers, and retailers that bring America's food 
to our tables. Proponents of labeling argued that affixing country-of-
origin labeling would enhance value and benefit farmers and ranchers.
  Mr. Speaker, no matter what position an individual has taken on the 
question of country-of-origin labeling, it is easy to support this 
resolution. House Resolution 1558 simply asserts that the American flag 
is such a positive attribute that farmers are encouraged to use this 
symbol to promote the products they grow here at home in America.
  Mr. Speaker, I support this resolution because it encourages our 
farmers and ranchers to act in what we believe to be their own self 
interest, while refraining from additional regulatory requirements or 
burdens.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gentlelady from Ohio, 
the ranking member on my committee, for her support of this resolution. 
It's a pleasure to serve with her on the Horticulture and Organic 
Subcommittee of the Agriculture Committee. I would just say that 
support of this resolution is in fact, as she said, something that will 
help promote products, and it is voluntary.
  Mrs. SCHMIDT. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support the motion, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 1558.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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