[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 17]
[Senate]
[Page 22251]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




   A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE CONGRESS THAT 
PUBLIC POLICY SHOULD CONTINUE TO PROTECT AND STRENGTHEN THE ABILITY OF 
 FARMERS AND RANCHERS TO JOIN TOGETHER IN COOPERATIVE SELF-HELP EFFORTS

  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 119) expressing the sense of 
the Congress that public policy should continue to protect and 
strengthen the ability of farmers and ranchers to join together in 
cooperative self-help efforts was considered and agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  The concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 119), with its preamble, 
reads as follows:

                            S. Con. Res. 119

       Whereas the ability of farmers and ranchers in the United 
     States to join together in cooperative self-help efforts is 
     vital to their continued economic viability;
       Whereas Federal laws have long recognized the importance of 
     protecting and strengthening the ability of farmers and 
     ranchers to join together in cooperative self-help efforts, 
     including to cooperatively market their products, ensure 
     access to competitive markets, and help achieve other 
     important public policy goals;
       Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives play an 
     important role in helping farmers and ranchers improve their 
     income from the marketplace, manage their risk, meet their 
     credit and other input needs, and compete more effectively in 
     a rapidly changing global economy;
       Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives also play an 
     important role in providing consumers in the United States 
     and abroad with a dependable supply of safe, affordable, 
     high-quality food, fiber, and related products;
       Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives also help 
     meet the energy needs of the United States, including through 
     the production and marketing of renewable fuels such as 
     ethanol and biodiesel;
       Whereas there are nearly 3,000 farmer- and rancher-owned 
     cooperatives located throughout the United States with a 
     combined membership representing a majority of the nearly 2 
     million farmers and ranchers in the United States; and
       Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives also 
     contribute significantly to the economic well being of rural 
     America as well as the overall economy, including accounting 
     for as many as 250,000 jobs: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring), That it is the Sense of the Congress that public 
     policy should continue to protect and strengthen the ability 
     of farmers and ranchers to join together in cooperative self-
     help efforts--
       (1) to improve their income from the marketplace and their 
     economic well-being;
       (2) to capitalize on new market opportunities; and
       (3) to help meet the food and fiber needs of consumers, 
     provide for increased energy production, promote rural 
     development, maintain and create needed jobs, and contribute 
     to a growing United States economy.

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