[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 69 (Tuesday, May 15, 2012)]
[House]
[Page H2666]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   HAPPY 150TH ANNIVERSARY TO UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

  (Mr. SABLAN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, I stand today to pay tribute to a great 
American success story. Today marks the 150th anniversary of the 
founding of the United States Department of Agriculture.
  President Abraham Lincoln founded USDA, as it's commonly called, and 
directed its focus to advancing America's agriculture industry through 
science and engineering. Today, our country's advanced system of 
production agriculture is evidence of how successful we are by being 
the world leader in food production, conservation innovations, in the 
development and use of agricultural biotechnology that helps produce 
biofuels, as well as helping farmers export their products that 
contribute to our positive balance of agricultural trade.
  And so, Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute and extend my personal best wishes 
to USDA on its 150th anniversary. I also congratulate Secretary Vilsack 
and all the fine men and women who work or have worked in the 
Department, and I wish them another 150 years of success.

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