[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[House]
[Pages 14794-14795]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL RICE MONTH

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, this month marks the 25th year of September 
being National Rice Month. Today I want to pay special tribute to the 
hard-working American farmers, millers, merchants, suppliers, and the 
consumers who make rice not only such a wholesome food, but an 
important part of our economy.
  Rice farming in America actually predates our Nation's founding, 
beginning some 300 years ago in the Deep South. Today, America's rice 
industry creates 125,000 good-paying jobs and contributes an estimated 
$34 billion to our Nation's economy.
  America's rice farmers have also a longstanding commitment to protect 
and preserve natural resources. Today, U.S. rice farmers produce more 
rice, using less land, energy, and water, using cutting-edge technology 
in land-leveling, in yield, and in technology for using less chemicals.
  The process is much more efficient than it was 20 years ago, while 
providing critical waterfowl habitat for hundreds of species. I know 
personally because I have leveled many of these fields myself.
  America's rice farmers continue to serve as leaders in the farming 
community by producing a healthy, conservation-friendly rice crop that 
generates jobs and economic opportunity.

[[Page 14795]]

  I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing September as National 
Rice Month.

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