[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 6]
[House]
[Pages 8687-8688]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      REMEMBERING THOSE LOST IN THE JUNE 11TH SHOOTING IN ORLANDO

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from

[[Page 8688]]

Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I join my colleagues in 
praying for the victims and the impacted families from Saturday's 
terrorist attack in Orlando, Florida.
  This terrorist attack serves as a reminder that we must do everything 
possible to defeat those who inspire hate and we must eradicate ISIS 
before other incidents occur.
  Mr. Speaker, over the past 2 years alone, 73 American lives have been 
taken by acts of terrorism here at home, in the United States.
  Mr. Speaker, the first duty of American leadership is the safety of 
our citizens and our families. When American leadership fails, our 
citizens pay a heavy price.


            Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Farm Credit

  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
recognition of the 100th anniversary of the farm credit, which was 
signed into law through the Federal Farm Loan Act of 1916 and was 
created to be a source of competitive credit for those who live and 
work in rural America.
  Today, the farm credit system plays a vital role in the success of 
our rural communities throughout our 50 States and in Puerto Rico, 
providing more than $237 billion in loans to more than 500,000 
customers.
  Now, while the farm credit system has a national footprint, its 
leaders are local. There are nearly 75 independently owned and operated 
farm credit organizations across the Nation, acting as cooperatives, 
owned by its customers with a deep understanding of agriculture in 
their area.
  Agriculture is the number one industry in Pennsylvania, my home 
State, and I can tell you that the farm credit system has played a 
major role in helping farm families survive and thrive through the use 
of financing, the construction of new buildings, the purchase of land, 
the pursuit of agribusiness opportunities, and the purchase of new 
equipment to remain competitive.
  The farm credit system has also been vital to helping new farmers in 
Pennsylvania hit the ground running and to start to grow their new 
businesses.
  Mr. Speaker, American agriculture is responsible for feeding our 
local communities, our Nation, and the world as a whole. It is my hope 
that the farm credit system will assist our farms for generations to 
come.

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