[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 53 (Thursday, March 23, 2023)]
[House]
[Page H1335]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            NATIONAL AG WEEK

  (Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to 
address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate 
National Agriculture Week, which kicked off March 21, also known as 
National Ag Day.
  For 50 years, this week has marked a time to honor American farm 
families and the essential and often unsung role that agriculture plays 
in all our lives.
  The safe and abundant food and fiber supply that Americans rely on on 
a daily basis comes from hardworking farming communities across this 
country.
  With rising input costs, market uncertainty, increasing regulations, 
and global supply chain disruptions, producers are facing increased 
hardship.
  Only 2 percent of Americans are employed in the agriculture sector, 
yet they successfully feed our entire Nation and the world, despite the 
odds being stacked against them.
  During this week of education and appreciation, I want to emphasize 
rural America, or what I like to call essential America, as the 
backbone of our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, this year, we are reauthorizing the farm bill.
  This farm bill will put producers first and aims to revitalize rural 
America by restoring the farm safety net, expanding market access, and 
much more.
  National Agriculture Week is the perfect opportunity to highlight the 
hardworking Americans who have dedicated their lives to providing a 
safe and abundant food supply.
  I honor their contributions to society and commend farmers and 
ranchers who add so much to our national culture.
  Mr. Speaker, this is a week where I call on everyone to celebrate 
National Agriculture Week.

                          ____________________