[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 115 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN HONOR OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GEORGIA PEANUT COMMISSION

                                 ______
                                 

                      HON. SANFORD D. BISHOP, JR.

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 31, 2012

  Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, it is my great honor to extend a 
heartfelt congratulations to the Georgia Peanut Commission as it 
celebrates 50 years of providing support to Georgia farmers. The 
Commission will be celebrating this great milestone with a ribbon 
cutting ceremony at the Commission's new location in Tifton, Georgia on 
Tuesday, July 31, 2012.
  The Commission, funded by Georgia peanut growers, began operations in 
1961 and has represented farmers through programs in research, 
promotion, education, and communication. For 50 years, Georgia peanut 
farmers, through the Commission, have been successful in improving the 
profitability of peanuts and peanut products by reducing the cost of 
production through research and by working to promote and increase 
consumption. The Commission is recognized nationally and 
internationally by its little red bags of peanuts found in all Georgia 
Congressional offices on Capitol Hill.
  When the Commission was first formed in 1961, farmers harvested 
475,000 acres of with an average yield of 1,200 pounds of peanuts per 
acre. In 2011, farmers harvested 475,000 acres with an average yield of 
3,520 pounds per acre, a 300 percent increase and a testament to the 
hard work on behalf of the Georgia Peanut Commission.
  I take much pride in the fact that Georgia leads the Nation in 
production of peanuts with nearly 50 percent of the annual peanut crop. 
Georgia has 14,000 farms with peanuts and about 4,500 active farmers. 
Approximately 200 businesses in Georgia are peanut-related. Two million 
bags of peanuts are distributed annually and the industry contributes 
more than 50,000 jobs and an estimated $2 billion to the economy of the 
State of Georgia.
  Since George Washington Carver discovered the many uses for the 
peanut in the early twentieth century, peanuts have become a household 
food staple and a source of dietary fiber, protein and other healthy 
nutrients. Although peanuts are produced in other parts of the country, 
I am a firm believer that no peanuts are of higher quality or more 
delicious than Georgia peanuts.
  On a personal note, I would like to thank Don Koehler, Executive 
Director of the Georgia Peanut Commission, and the rest of the 
wonderful staff as well as Chairman Armond Morris and all those who 
serve on the Board of Directors. Their hard work and dedication has 
contributed to the success of the Commission in many ways.
  Mr. Speaker, on behalf of the residents of Georgia's Second 
Congressional District, the state of Georgia, and all those nationwide 
and worldwide who enjoy our tasty Georgia peanuts, I ask my colleagues 
to join me today in paying tribute to the Georgia Peanut Commission for 
their exemplary services and dedicated efforts to support Georgia's 
4,500 peanut growers over the past 50 years.

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