[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 19, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H1578]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        NATIONAL AGRICULTURE DAY

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, on National Agriculture Day, we honor the 
hardworking efforts of America's farmers, farm workers and processors 
who provide our family with safe and affordable healthy foods.
  As a third-generation San Joaquin Valley farmer, I'm proud to 
represent our agricultural way of life that drives our economy. More 
than half of the Nation's fruits and vegetables are grown in 
California. The San Joaquin Valley produces over $25 billion in gross 
value per year, which creates jobs and helps feed our Nation.
  Each American farmer needs over 144 people, and they're doing it 
environmentally safer than ever before. It's more important than ever 
to remind people that our agricultural economy still touches every part 
of our lives.
  Take a moment today to think about the hand that picked the tomato, 
or the dairyman, and thank them for that glass of milk. These are among 
the hardest working Americans that I know.
  Let me, again, thank the farmers, the farm workers, and the food 
processors on National Agriculture Day for your hard work in putting 
the food that we eat on America's dinner tables.

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