[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 10006]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




           INTRODUCING THE AGRICULTURE EDUCATION FREEDOM ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 2, 2009

  Mr. PAUL. Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce the Agriculture 
Education Freedom Act. This bill addresses a great injustice being 
perpetrated by the Federal Government on those youngsters who 
participate in programs such as 4-H or the Future Farmers of America. 
Under current tax law, children are forced to pay federal income tax 
when they sell livestock they have raised as part of an agricultural 
education program.
  Think about this for a moment. These kids are trying to better 
themselves, earn some money, save some money and what does Congress do? 
We pick on these kids by taxing them. It is truly amazing that with all 
the hand-wringing in Congress over the alleged need to further restrict 
liberty and grow the size of government ``for the children'' we would 
continue to tax young people who are trying to lead responsible lives 
and prepare for the future. Even if the serious social problems today's 
youth face could be solved by new federal bureaucracies and programs, 
it is still unfair to pick on those kids who are trying to do the right 
thing.
  These children are not even old enough to vote, yet we are forcing 
them to pay taxes. What ever happened to no taxation without 
representation? No wonder young people are so cynical about government.
  It is time we stopped taxing youngsters who are trying to earn money 
to go to college by selling livestock they have raised through their 
participation in programs such as 4-H or Future Farmers of America. 
Therefore, I call on my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
Agriculture Education Freedom Act.

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