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“NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S2483-S2484 on March 18, 1997.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK
Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of National Agriculture Week and to pay tribute to the farmers of this nation whose dedication and diligence throughout our history have not only served to feed our families, but have also provided a strong framework for the economic prosperity of this country.
At the 1896 Democratic National Convention, it was William Jennings Bryan who recognized the importance of farmers, not only as the individuals who provide our sustenance, but as integral parts of the American business community. He said, ``The farmer who goes forth in the morning and toils all day, who begins in spring and toils all summer, and who by the application of brain and muscle to the natural resources of the country creates wealth, is as much a business man as the man who goes upon the Board of Trade and bets upon the price of grain.'' Today, when technology like weather trackers and cellular phones plays as important a role on the fields as it does on Wall Street, Bryan's words ring true.
Bryan's other comment about farmers reminds us of a fact too often forgotten: ``The great cities,'' he said, ``rest upon our broad and fertile prairies.'' Indeed, the productivity of America's farmers not only keeps Americans fed, it also enables the rest of our citizens to embark upon their daily tasks and diverse careers without concern that the grocery's shelves will be empty.
Our farmers are so productive that they sustain the lives of more than 250 million Americans every day and still have enough left over to make agriculture our nation's leading export. In 1930, 1 American farmer produced enough food to feed 24 people. Today, that same 1 farmer is feeding 129 people. In fact, our farmers are so efficient that Americans spend approximately 9 percent of their income on food, compared with much higher figures in other countries, such as 17 percent in Japan and 27 percent in South Africa.
Yet the agricultural industry's contributions to our economy often go unrecognized. I grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where my parents owned and operated a local restaurant. I spent much of my childhood working in that restaurant, and one of my clearest memories is of Saturday evenings, when the farmers would come to town to stock up on supplies after a hard week's work. Every Saturday, my parents would keep the restaurant open late, waiting for the farmers to arrive. Over the years, I gained a good understanding of the successes and hardships related to agriculture. In my house, we knew that if the farmers were successful, our own business would prosper.
Since then, and the beginning of my career in public service, my contact with farmers from across the State of Maryland has confirmed my strong view that we cannot have real prosperity in this country if the farm sector itself is not sharing in and laying the foundation for that prosperity.
Farmers bear a weighty burden. At the same time that their work feeds millions and includes efforts to cleanse a polluted environment, that work is also part of a very modern industry, which generates billions of dollars in revenue and employs more than 15 percent of our citizens. Yet unlike many other billion-dollar businesses, almost 90 percent of American farms are owned by individuals or families. Family farmers are the backbone of America's agricultural industry and we must ensure that they remain a vital part of American society.
All of this is relevant, I believe, to this year's National Agriculture Week theme, ``Growing Better Every Day--Together.'' Indeed, we all must remain committed to working on behalf of our farmers at all levels of government. Only through such cooperation can we look forward to a future in agriculture which is even more successful than our present.
In the State of Maryland, our attempts at such cooperation are indeed paying off. Recently, I have worked closely with State and local officials to support the efforts of farmers seeking to increase production by bolstering their existing export capabilities and identifying ways in which additional Maryland agribusinesses can enter foreign markets. Maryland is the eastern seaboard's fastest growing exporter. And with a strong and growing trade infrastructure--which includes the port of Baltimore, the World Trade Center, Baltimore-
Washington International Airport and other aggressive export-enhancing initiatives--we are hopeful that agriculture, as Maryland's number-one industry, will be able to further tap into the State's increasing number of international opportunities. New forums across Maryland--
which we have initiated together with the Maryland Department of Agriculture and our terrific Maryland Secretary of Agriculture Lewis Riley--are helping farmers take full advantage of our expanding capabilities and possibilities in this regard.
We in Maryland take much pleasure in the achievements of our farmers. Generating more than $1.6 billion a year, agriculture employs about 14 percent, or 350,000 of Maryland's workers. Maryland's agricultural industry truly helps the State live up to its often used nickname, ``America in miniature.'' From vegetable production and horticulture in southern Maryland, to the dairy operations and horse farms of central Maryland, to the beef cattle, forestry products and tree fruit in western Maryland, to poultry growing on the eastern shore, Maryland agriculture is indeed diverse and provides a showcase for the nation's agricultural capabilities.
Mr. President, we in Maryland and our nation are very proud of our agricultural industry. There is still much work to be done to ensure a bright future for America's farmers, but as this week's theme suggests, through a strong commitment at all levels of government--together--we can help continue to build such a future.
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