[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 18]
[House]
[Pages 25719-25720]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   NATIONAL FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA

  (Mr. SMITH of Nebraska asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SMITH of Nebraska. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the FFA, 
commonly known as the Future Farmers of America, on the news that for 
the first time in 29 years, their student membership has passed 500,000 
students.
  It is encouraging to see groups like the FFA growing and adding new 
members. Through the FFA, young people in rural and urban areas alike 
are able

[[Page 25720]]

to understand agriculture's economic, social and environmental impact 
on all Americans, as well as agriculture's history.
  Agriculture is not so much of a vocation as it is a way of life. 
Owning and operating a farm or ranch is a labor of love, costing time, 
money, risk and other investments far above most careers. The FFA 
prepares the next generation of our Nation's family farmers as they 
step up on the plate.
  Simply put, agriculture matters. I'm proud to represent the Third 
District of Nebraska, one of the largest agricultural districts in the 
country, and one which truly embodies the spirit of the FFA.

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