The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“HONORING THE LIFE OF RALPH PAIGE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1014 on July 16, 2018.
The Department is primarily focused on food nutrition, with assistance programs making up 80 percent of its budget. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department implements too many regulations and restrictions and impedes the economy.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
HONORING THE LIFE OF RALPH PAIGE
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HON. BENNIE G. THOMPSON
of mississippi
in the house of representatives
Monday, July 16, 2018
Mr. THOMPSON of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the life of Ralph Paige, a man who tirelessly fought for African-American farmers.
Beginning in 1985, Ralph Paige, spearheaded an advocacy organization for African-American farmers, formally known as The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund. This organization grew out of the civil rights movement. As a known champion and advocate for black farmers, Mr. Paige helped organize black farmers and others in the southeast into economic cooperatives. He educated them on how best to retain their land and later became their spokesman. His work to increase the awareness of the difficulty for African-Americans to maintain ownership of land and receive financial support from local institutions is appreciated and admired today.
Mr. Paige wrote a 2010 column for The San Marcos Daily Record, ``When President Abraham Lincoln created the United States Department of Agriculture in 1862, he referred to it as the People's Department. The problem is that its services have never been available to all the people.'' Blacks were disproportionately denied loans, disaster relief, and other monetary aid for black farmers. Ralph Paige recognized that the loans black farmers did receive were often smaller and took longer to process than those for white farmers. Instead of complaining, he worked to ensure that thousands of farmers have land today.
Today, we mourn the death of Ralph Paige. As a controversial figure, he managed to provoke thought in all of those who he came in contact with either in person or through his work. As we continue to dismantle stereotypes and racism, let us do so by honoring the life and legacy of Ralph Paige.
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