[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 59 (Thursday, March 26, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16999-17000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06477]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 59 / Thursday, March 26, 2020 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 16999]]


                Proclamation 9998 of March 23, 2020

                
National Agriculture Day, 2020

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                Since our Nation's earliest days, farming communities 
                have been a bedrock of our society. In a letter to 
                George Washington, Thomas Jefferson famously stated 
                that agriculture ``is our wisest pursuit, because it 
                will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good 
                morals, and happiness.'' As our Nation continues to 
                face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus 
                pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbeatable strength of 
                America's agricultural producers as they once again 
                answer the call to feed our country and the world. On 
                this National Agriculture Day, and now more than ever, 
                we salute and honor the men and women who contribute 
                daily to our national prosperity.

                United States agricultural food and fiber production 
                has increased significantly over the past century, 
                while the amount of resources used to produce those 
                goods has largely stayed the same. This incredible 
                productivity is due to innovations that have propelled 
                the American model of agriculture to the top of the 
                world stage, allowing Americans to spend less of their 
                paychecks on food. Americans feed their families with 
                the safest, healthiest, and most affordable food in the 
                world. Thanks to the efficiency of our farmers and 
                ranchers, our rural communities are stronger and more 
                resilient.

                Since taking office, I have worked tirelessly to 
                deliver on my promise to negotiate better trade deals 
                for our country, directly benefitting agricultural 
                communities. After decades of one-sided trade 
                agreements that left the great men and women of our 
                country behind, my Administration has secured fairer 
                and more reciprocal deals that ensure American workers 
                are put first. Our farmers, whose grit and hard work 
                help feed, fuel, and clothe millions around the world, 
                are key beneficiaries of these historic trade 
                agreements. In 2019, I delivered the United States-
                Japan Trade Agreement, which is already providing our 
                farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses with new market 
                access to 127 million Japanese consumers. In January, I 
                ended the outdated and unbalanced North American Free 
                Trade Agreement by signing into law the United States-
                Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creating incredible 
                opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. The 
                USMCA empowers American businesses in our vital 
                agricultural sector with greater freedom to sell their 
                goods throughout North America. Thanks to this better 
                deal, American agriculture exports are expected to 
                increase by $2.2 billion. I also signed a new, fully 
                enforceable trade agreement with China, which will help 
                start to rebalance our vital trade partnership. As part 
                of this deal, China has pledged to increase imports of 
                American goods and services over the next 2 years by at 
                least $200 billion, including purchasing more than $80 
                billion in American agricultural goods.

                Across our country, farming families and communities 
                demonstrate the timeless American values of hard work, 
                perseverance, and stewardship of the land. Just as they 
                have for centuries, our farmers provide the foundation 
                of a national economic supply chain that is critical to 
                our national security and prosperity. Today and every 
                day, we express our gratitude to these individuals and 
                remember the central place of agriculture in our 
                national identity and American way of life.

[[Page 17000]]

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim March 24, 2020, as 
                National Agriculture Day. I encourage all Americans to 
                observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role 
                that agriculture plays in our daily lives, 
                acknowledging agriculture's continuing importance to 
                rural America and our country's economy, and expressing 
                our deep appreciation of farmers, growers, ranchers, 
                producers, national forest system stewards, private 
                agricultural stewards, and those who work in the 
                agriculture sector across the Nation.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2020-06477
Filed 3-25-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P