[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 95 (Wednesday, June 15, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E917]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF FARM CREDIT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BOB GOODLATTE

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2016

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, in rural communities, like those in the 
Sixth Congressional District of Virginia, the Farm Credit provides a 
variety of financial services to folks in their own communities. Since 
1916, the Farm Credit System has served communities throughout the 
United States, playing an integral role in helping our country remain 
the world's greatest producer of food and fiber products while 
preserving our agricultural heritage.
  Agriculture is by far the largest industry in the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, supplying nearly 311,000 jobs and making an economic impact 
of $52 billion annually. The Farm Credit of the Virginias plays an 
important part in ensuring this industry continues to grow by providing 
more than $1.5 billion in financing to rural homeowners, farmers, and 
landowners in 96 counties in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. It 
has been a pleasure working with this group over the years.
  Farm Credit has a decidedly local feel, and it is clear that the 
representatives know and understand the communities they are serving. 
As a cooperative, members of the Farm Credit are also the customers and 
borrowers. They are uniquely invested in ensuring Farm Credit is best 
serving its borrowers.
  Whether a farmer is looking to purchase a new piece of equipment, a 
family is buying a new home, or a new agritourism business is trying to 
find the capital to take root, the Farm Credit has been there every 
step of the way, helping families live out the American dream. Thank 
you to Farm Credit organizations in Virginia and across the country for 
their hard work on behalf of America's rural communities. 
Congratulations to the Farm Credit on 100 years of promoting American 
agriculture.

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