[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 100 (Thursday, June 13, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H3981]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      CELEBRATING DIA DE PORTUGAL

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Costa) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Dia de Portugal. It 
is a national Portuguese holiday celebrating the anniversary of 
Portugal as a nation. It is the equivalent of their Fourth of July.
  The story of the Portuguese Americans, I think, is also a part of the 
American story. Why? Because the American story is one of immigrants 
past and immigrants present. I think it is the secret sauce of America.
  Every generation of immigrants coming to this country for over 200 
years add value to our country. My district in California is home to 
generations of the Portuguese diaspora, the majority of them coming 
from the Azores Islands off the coast of Portugal out in the middle of 
the Atlantic.
  As the co-chair of the Portuguese Caucus and a proud descendant of 
Portuguese immigrants, the traditions and values that my family took 
from the Azores have always been a part of who I am.
  This year, it is particularly meaningful to celebrate Dia de Portugal 
because it is the 50th anniversary of what they call the Carnation 
Revolution. That is a revolution that occurred in Portugal in the mid-
70s when they transitioned from a dictatorship to a full-fledged 
democracy.
  Now a contributing member of the European Union, Portugal is one of 
America's longest and strongest allies. It was one of the first to 
recognize the United States as an independent Nation after the 
Revolutionary War and it is also an original member of NATO.
  Join me in celebrating this special occasion and the strong bond 
between Portugal and the United States and the Portuguese people and 
people from our country. ``Happy celebration of the day of Portugal,'' 
``Feliz Dia de Portugal.''


                              Protect SNAP

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, millions of families continue to struggle to 
put dinner on their table every night, and that is why I will speak 
about the American safety net known as SNAP, which is providing food 
for people who are insecure, 41 million Americans.
  Fresno and Tulare Counties that I represent are among the top 
agricultural-producing counties in the country. It is a real dichotomy 
because we produce so much aplenty, over 300 commodities, 20 percent of 
America's milk production, almost half of the fruits and vegetables, 75 
percent of the almonds in the world, and 50 percent of the pistachios. 
The list goes on and on.

  However, in my district I have a significant amount of food 
insecurity. Mr. Speaker, 42 million Americans are food insecure, or 
12.5 percent of our Nation's population rely throughout the year on 
SNAP, this food supplement.
  In my district, out of 52 congressional districts in California, 28 
percent rely on SNAP. They are food insecure, whether it be young or 
old or people with disabilities or working people. A lot of them are 
seasonal workers in our fields that live on $20,000 a year or maybe a 
little bit more but have a family of four or five that they have to 
feed every night.
  When we think about the farm bill and the reauthorization, it is not 
only the safety net to American farmers, ranchers, dairymen and -women, 
but it is also the safety net to 42 million Americans who are food 
insecure.
  What we need to understand is that four out of five SNAP households 
include a child, an elderly individual, or a person with a disability. 
I know because my district ranks among the highest in California and 
the sixth highest in the Nation.
  SNAP is more than a lifeline. Why? Because it also benefits local 
economies and cuts hunger by 30 percent. Every dollar spent on SNAP 
generates economic activity and support for our farmers and small 
businesses and obviously puts food on those families' dinner tables.
  Nothing is more challenging than to educate a child. For many of our 
children, the breakfast and lunch program in our schools is the best 
meal they get during the day. I don't look at this as a burden on 
taxpayers. I look at it as an investment in our Nation's health and 
well-being.
  As we debate the importance of reauthorizing the farm bill, let's 
address the income inequality that makes people food insecure and let's 
sit together to try to find a bipartisan agreement to reauthorize the 
farm bill.

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