[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 25264-25265]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING ESTABLISHMENT OF HUNTERS FOR THE HUNGRY PROGRAMS

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to 
the resolution (H. Res. 79) recognizing the establishment of Hunters 
for the Hungry programs across the United States and the contributions 
of those programs efforts to decrease hunger and help feed those in 
need.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                               H. Res. 79

       Whereas Hunters for the Hungry programs are cooperative 
     efforts among hunters, sportsmen's associations, meat 
     processors, State meat inspectors, and hunger relief 
     organizations to help feed those in need;
       Whereas during the past three years Hunters for the Hungry 
     programs have brought hundreds of thousands of pounds of 
     venison to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and food banks; 
     and
       Whereas each year donations have multiplied as Hunters for 
     the Hungry programs continue to feed those in need: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved,  That the House of Representatives--
       (1) recognizes the cooperative efforts of hunters, 
     sportsmen's associations, meat processors, State meat 
     inspectors, and hunger relief organizations to establish 
     Hunters for the Hungry programs across the United States; and
       (2) recognizes the contributions of Hunters for the Hungry 
     programs to efforts to decrease hunger and help feed those in 
     need.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
California (Mr. Cardoza) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. 
Goodlatte) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I come before the House today to encourage passage of 
House Resolution 79, recognizing the establishment of Hunters for the 
Hungry programs across the United States and recognizing the 
contributions of those programs to decrease hunger and help feed those 
in need.
  Hunters for the Hungry is a unique and innovative program that 
addresses hunger in communities nationwide. Hunters can donate their 
game and fowl to Hunters for the Hungry which processes the meat and 
provides it to food banks and other feeding programs. This cooperative 
effort between hunters, processors, and the hunger community is an 
innovative example of how groups can work together toward a single 
worthy goal.
  This legislation received unanimous support in the House Agriculture 
Committee, and I strongly encourage passage of this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1545

  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I rise in support of H. Res. 79 and applaud this body for 
recognizing the collaborative efforts of hunters, sportsmen's 
associations, meat processors, State meat inspectors and hunger relief 
associations to establish Hunters for the Hungry programs across the 
U.S.
  When a hunter donates a deer, it is processed by professional meat 
cutters at inspected facilities. The meat is then packaged, frozen and 
distributed to food banks, soup kitchens, church food pantries, the 
Salvation Army and other nonprofit organizations serving the States' 
hungry. Funds are raised to cover the cost of processing, distribution 
and the overhead expenses of operation so that the meat can be provided 
to these agencies at no cost. Through the program, food banks and soup 
kitchens are provided with a low-fat, high-protein meat that may not 
otherwise be available.
  In my own State of Virginia, the Virginia Hunters for the Hungry 
program has distributed over 2.3 million pounds of venison since its 
establishment in 1991. In the first year, roughly 33,000 pounds of 
venison was donated, processed and distributed through the program. 
Now, the average exceeds 300,000 pounds a year, and this program is a 
reflection of the generosity of the American spirit.
  I commend the generosity of Virginia hunters and all who participate 
in the Hunters for the Hungry program, whose contributions are a step 
in the right direction in the fight against hunger.
  Mr. Speaker, let me say on a personal note that I have had the 
pleasure of supporting this organization for several years now, and 
just recently, a few weeks ago, attended a Hunters for the Hungry 
banquet, at which the spirit of not just hunters but people who are 
generous and want to take care of the needs of those who can use 
additional sustenance and I think in a very efficient way have 
participated in this program and showed that generosity once more.
  So I commend all those, not just in Virginia but across the country, 
who participate in this, and I particularly commend the gentleman from 
Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) who has fostered this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, at this time it's my pleasure to yield to 
the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Gingrey) such time as he may consume.
  Mr. GINGREY. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Chairman Peterson and 
Ranking Member Goodlatte, my good friend from California (Mr. Cardoza), 
my classmate, and all the members on the Agriculture Committee for 
bringing this resolution to the floor today during the inaugural 
Congressional Sportsmen's Week.
  I also want to thank the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, under the 
leadership of co-chairs Ron Kind of Wisconsin and Paul Ryan of 
Wisconsin, during this Congress. This bipartisan organization, 
comprised of close to 300 Members of the House and Senate, focuses on 
protecting the interests of our Nation's sportsmen. As a proud member 
of the Congressional Sportsmen's Caucus, I know that it works 
diligently for our sportsmen who have historically shaped the character

[[Page 25265]]

and the quality of America's cultural heritage, natural resources and 
economic vitality.
  Mr. Speaker, as Mr. Goodlatte said, I first introduced the Hunters 
for the Hungry resolution in the 108th Congress to bring attention to 
an often overlooked group, our Nation's hunters, who help feed 
thousands of homeless and hungry people each year. The purpose of this 
resolution is to praise the work of Hunters for Hungry programs across 
our country. These programs provide a unique way in which to address 
our Nation's hunger problem.
  Although these organizations are called by different names across the 
country, Hunters for the Hungry organizations show the humanitarian and 
the kindhearted spirit of our Nation's hunting community. These 
programs are volunteer and cooperative efforts among hunters, 
sportsmen's associations, meat processors, State meat inspectors and 
hunger relief organizations.
  Over the past 3 years, these programs have brought hundreds of 
thousands of pounds of excess venison to homeless shelters, soup 
kitchens and food banks. Each year, donations have multiplied, and many 
programs now cannot even cover the costs of processing, packaging, 
storing and distributing the abundant supply of donated venison.
  Hunters for the Hungry organizations serve as a great example of how 
our Nation can address issues like hunger without government 
intervention. These organizations receive no Federal funds, and they 
operate from donations and volunteer service. We must raise the 
awareness of these organizations so they can have the resources and the 
volunteers to serve America's underprivileged.
  One such organization, Mr. Speaker, in my district is Pure Cuts Deer 
Processing in Floyd County. Nick Ballinger operates this volunteer 
effort, and it feeds thousands of hungry people in northwest Georgia. 
He's always open to both financial contributions and venison donations 
so that he can expand the organization and feed more people annually. 
Nick is just one of many kindhearted hunters who donate their time and 
money for those in need.
  Mr. Speaker, I once again ask the House to speak in one voice of 
gratitude and urge passage of the Hunters for the Hungry resolution to 
honor this great community service.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume, 
and I'd like to rise to congratulate my colleague, Mr. Gingrey from 
Georgia, on this legislation, and also thank my colleague and friend 
Mr. Goodlatte for managing it on the Republican side.
  Our chairman on the Democratic side, Mr. Peterson, is an avid hunter 
and, I'd like to say, a very successful one as well. I know he wants to 
extend his gratitude for this bill and totally supports it.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. GOODLATTE. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Cardoza) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 79.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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