[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 158 (2012), Part 7]
[House]
[Pages 10112-10113]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Madam Speaker, every year, California dairies produce over 
17 billion pounds of milk products that provide families with 
affordable, nutrient-rich products that we consume. California is the 
Nation's top milk-producing State, and much of the production takes 
place in the San Joaquin Valley, which I represent a part of. Many of 
these dairies in my district have been passed down from generation to 
generation, including the one that I grew up on in Kearney Park, near 
Fresno, California.
  Over the last few years, dairy producers have seen milk prices 
continue to drop and feed prices increase and even skyrocket. In the 
coming weeks, the Ag Committee is slated to begin consideration of the 
2012 farm bill. It is

[[Page 10113]]

my hope that we can find a way to bring more certainty in prices and 
prevent extreme market volatility to help our producers across the 
country stay afloat.
  As National Dairy Month comes to a close, I would like to commend our 
dairymen and -women for the work they do every day on the farm, 365 
days a year, that allows families nationwide to enjoy the nutritious, 
cost-effective food that they are putting on our tables.

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