[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 3]
[House]
[Page 4036]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            RECOGNIZING NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK AND AG DAY

  (Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. KENNEDY of Minnesota. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute 
to the men and women of America who help feed the world. This week is 
National Agriculture Week, and today is Ag Day. It is a time when we 
take a moment to pay tribute to those that work the land to feed our 
world.
  For many of the constituents in my district, it is a very special 
day. Southwest Minnesota is a national leader in producing soybeans, 
corn, sugar, turkeys, pork, and dairy products.
  The efficiency of U.S. farmers is a benefit to all Americans. 
American families spend approximately 9 percent of their income on 
food, compared to 11 percent in the United Kingdom, 17 percent in Japan 
and 53 percent in India.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues not to forget the farmer among 
all of the other pressing issues of the day. Agriculture is a vital 
link to the success of our Nation, and we must help our farmers by 
working to grow demand for their products.

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