[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 6824-6825]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       USDA--HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES P. McGOVERN

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 15, 2012

  Mr. McGOVERN. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Agriculture Committee, 
I am pleased to recognize the 150th birthday of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA). The good work of USDA and the important programs 
administered by USDA reach all of us every day, often more than most of 
us realize. In coordination with our farmers and ranchers, USDA ensures 
that we have a safe and abundant food supply. USDA protects the quality 
of our meat and poultry; feeds children and low income Americans 
through the nutrition programs; and supports rural Americans with an 
array of basic programs, including broadband, housing and economic 
development.
  As Co-Chair of the House Hunger Caucus, along with my good friend 
Representative Jo Ann Emerson, I am committed to ending hunger in the 
United States and around the world. I want to praise USDA's robust 
domestic programs to help feed the most vulnerable among us and improve 
nutrition. These safety net programs, including SNAP, the Child 
Nutrition Programs, and WIC are vitally important to helping those in 
need put food on the table during economic hard times and helping make 
sure no one especially seniors and children--goes to bed hungry in 
America. The Child Nutrition Programs including the National School 
Lunch Program are among the most important and successful anti-hunger 
and nutrition programs in the country. Thanks to diligent oversight by 
USDA, and significant reforms in the program, SNAP is one of the most 
effective and efficient federal programs. It is a testament to USDA's 
longstanding commitment to the highest standards and oversight of its 
programs.
  Globally, the impact of USDA is just as great. I have long promoted 
an integrated government-wide approach to addressing global hunger and 
food insecurity. Beginning with the Bush Administration and expanding 
under the leadership of President Obama, Secretary of State Clinton, 
Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack and USAID Administrator Raj Shah, I am 
proud to say that global food security programs are stronger than ever. 
In particular, I am proud to support USDA's signature role in global 
agricultural development, emergency food aid, and international school 
feeding programs.
  Agriculture is not just a nostalgic reflection of the past, it is a 
critical part of contemporary American life and the U.S. economy. I 
would like to take this opportunity to salute the thousands of 
Massachusetts small farmers who contribute so much not only to the 
economy, but to the nutrition and health of the people of 
Massachusetts, New England and the nation. It has been such a privilege 
for me to visit their farms, dairies and gardens and witness first-hand 
the great work they are doing.

[[Page 6825]]

  I am pleased to extend my heartiest birthday wishes to USDA on this 
landmark anniversary, and I wish them the very best success in 
supporting agricultural development here at home and around the world 
in the next 150 years.

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