[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 71 (Thursday, May 17, 2012)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3273-S3274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       150TH ANNIVERSARY OF USDA

  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today to celebrate the 150th 
anniversary of the Department of Agriculture.
  I believe Thomas Jefferson said it best in a letter to George 
Washington in 1787. Jefferson wrote: ``Agriculture is our wisest 
pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, 
good morals, and happiness.''
  In 1862, the 37th Congress and President Lincoln established the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, and 150 years later, agriculture is still a 
pillar of the American economy.
  From wheat fields in Montana, to dairy farms in Wisconsin, to grocery 
stores in New York City, 1 in 12 jobs is linked to agriculture and 
forestry. In Montana it is one in five for agriculture alone.
  Agriculture is one of the few U.S. business sectors to boast a trade 
surplus of $34 billion last year.
  Because of our Federal farm policies, Americans have access to the 
safest and most affordable food in the world. Americans spend less than 
7 percent of their disposable income to feed their families, compared 
with almost 25 percent in 1930 or as high as 28 percent in Russia 
today.
  The farm bill, which is set to expire this September, provides a 
responsible risk management system that ensures American farmers and 
ranchers can keep putting food on our tables even in times of drought, 
flooding, and other disaster. It provides conservation tools to protect 
the land we love and depend on for generations to come. It focuses 
resources to help beginning farmers and ranchers get their foot in the 
door, promotes U.S. products overseas, invests in research, and helps 
struggling families put food on the table.
  Last month, the Senate Agriculture Committee passed the Agriculture 
Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012 with a bipartisan vote of 16 to 5.
  I want to underscore the word ``reform.'' Times are tough. We cannot 
afford business as usual anymore.
  After spending the last year talking directly with Montana farmers 
and ranchers about their priorities, I can tell you no one understands 
this better than they do.
  So the Senate Agriculture Committee worked directly with producers to 
strengthen what works and cut out what doesn't. Together we came up 
with a responsible plan to cut spending by $23 billion while still 
providing a strong risk management program for farmers and ranchers. 
That is right,

[[Page S3274]]

the Senate Agriculture Committee's farm bill reduces the deficit by $23 
billion. It eliminates more than 100 duplicative programs to make 
government leaner and more effective. It strengthens accountability to 
make sure we are giving a hand up where it is most needed and not 
wasting taxpayer dollars where it's not. And, perhaps most importantly, 
this farm bill supports more than 16 million American jobs. That is why 
I led a letter to leadership with 43 of my colleagues this week urging 
quick action. Moving this farm bill is the right thing to do for our 
farmers and ranchers, the right thing to do for American taxpayers, and 
the right thing to do for jobs.
  So as we say happy birthday to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I 
think the best gift Congress could give is passing the farm bill.

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