[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 66 (Thursday, May 10, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E774]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S 150TH ANNIVERSARY

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                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 10, 2012

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to one of 
our greatest American success stories. Today let us all pause to 
recognize the United States Department of Agriculture's 150th Birthday.
  President Abraham Lincoln established the USDA 150 years ago, on May 
15, 1862. That act helped ground our nation's agriculture industry in 
science, and helped give our nation the ability to lead the world in 
feeding the globe. One of the first responsibilities delegated to the 
USDA was the Homestead Act. The Homestead Act gave pre-approved U.S. 
citizens undeveloped federal land at no cost if they agreed to develop 
that land. This act led to the settling of the Great Plains; today 
those lands are the world's largest producers of wheat and corn.
  Our nation's agriculture industry has, throughout our history, been a 
significant force in our economy. One out of every twelve Americans is 
employed in an agriculture-related industry. So it is important to 
recognize that agriculture is not just a nostalgic notion of the past 
but remains a foundation of the American economy. The influence of 
American farmers and ranchers not only reaches every state and 
household within the United States, but it can be felt all around the 
world. The Port of Long Beach, in my district, exports millions of 
metric tons of agricultural cargo to our vital Asian trade partners 
every year.
  American consumers spend on average less than ten percent of their 
disposable income on food. That ten percent represents the lowest 
percentage in the history of the world. By comparison, most European 
consumers spend more than double that and in developing countries the 
percentage is often higher than 50 percent. Our nation's advanced 
system of production agriculture is evidence of how successful the USDA 
has been in ensuring a safe, affordable and abundant food supply.
  Today, the United States is the world leader in the development and 
use of agricultural biotechnology, contributing to our positive balance 
of agricultural trade. We must continue supporting policies that 
promote the smart use of research, science and biotechnology that has 
enabled production agriculture to thrive. We must embrace the 
importance of agricultural innovation in the same way we endorse 
innovation in fields such as health care or communications.
  Mr. Speaker, our producers remain a critical source of jobs and 
innovation. Maintaining a strong agriculture industry is vital to the 
present and future U.S. economy and is critical to the economic and 
political stability. It is with great pride and respect that I honor 
our nation's farmers and ranchers and extend birthday wishes to the 
USDA.

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