[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 182 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H7940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         SUBMITTING TEMPORARY GUEST WORKER APPLICATIONS ONLINE

  (Ms. HOCHUL asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Ms. HOCHUL. Madam Speaker, last week, like millions of Americans 
across this country, my family and I gave thanks for our blessings, our 
Nation's freedom, and for the food on our table--provided by the 
hardworking farmers of our country and from my district. Now I ask my 
colleagues to join me in giving thanks for our farmers who make this 
great harvest possible.
  America's farms are the best in the world. Our food is safer, higher 
in quality, and more efficiently grown than that of any other country. 
The labor and innovation of America's farmers puts food on the tables 
of not just families here at home, but for hungry people across the 
world.
  As our farmers bring their goods to market in the 21st century 
economy, they expect to have a 21st century government that will help, 
not hinder, their business. That's why I call on the Secretary of Labor 
to allow farmers to submit their H-2A applications for temporary guest 
workers online.
  New York farmers are increasingly relying on this program for the 
legal labor they need to plant and harvest their crops. This summer, I 
was absolutely shocked to learn that one of my onion farms in Genesee 
County had to mail almost 20 pounds of paperwork to the Federal 
Government in order to participate in this program. There must be a 
better way.
  An online application program would save money for our farmers and 
our taxpayers, and I urge the Secretary of Labor to swiftly implement 
this program.

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