[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 96 (Thursday, June 16, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E931]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





         CELEBRATING THE CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY OF FARM CREDIT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. BRAD ASHFORD

                              of nebraska

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2016

  Mr. ASHFORD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to offer my congratulations to 
the Farm Credit System as its cooperative owners and employees 
celebrate one hundred years of service. The Farm Credit System has 
provided a dependable source of financing for farmers, ranchers, and 
farm cooperatives throughout the years to ensure the agriculture 
industry can continue to feed America and serve as the backbone of our 
economy. I am also honored to serve as a cosponsor of House Resolution 
591 to formally commend the Farm Credit System for their one hundred 
years of service to America's farmers and ranchers since the Federal 
Farm Loan Act of 1916 was signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson.
  Today in the second district of Nebraska, Farm Credit Services of 
America has been actively supporting the next generation of the 
agriculture workforce through its ongoing financial support for 
organizations like 4-H and Future Farmers of America. In addition to 
these groups, they are a key player in an industry-wide partnership to 
support Omaha Bryan High School's Urban Agriculture Academy. This 
innovative and important program allows students to study leadership 
skills, explore agriculture related careers, and gain a sense of 
community in the agriculture industry. One in three jobs in Nebraska is 
agriculture-related, and there is a strong demand for skills suited to 
those industries. Omaha Bryan is filling this demand with students who 
would otherwise not be aware of what a job in the agriculture industry 
can look like. Investment in the Omaha Bryan program by Farm Credit and 
many other Omaha businesses has been instrumental in getting the 
program, now in its fourth year, through the crucial, early development 
stages.
  Thank you, Farm Credit, for your leadership and support of Nebraska 
agriculture and rural communities.

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