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.
“THE SOUTH CAROLINA PEANUT PARITY ACT” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E662-E663 on May 18, 2017.
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:
THE SOUTH CAROLINA PEANUT PARITY ACT
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HON. JOE WILSON
of south carolina
in the house of representatives
Thursday, May 18, 2017
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina. Mr. Speaker, in the 2002 Farm Bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture established the Peanut Standards Board, a board that advises the Secretary of Agriculture and Department on peanut quality and handling standards. By law, members of the Peanut Standards Board must be from a state in one of the three designated regions. South Carolina was not represented, leaving the state's peanut farmers without a voice, despite being the nation's fourth largest peanut-producing state and producing over eight percent of the nation's peanuts.
Peanuts are appreciated in South Carolina where every August the Pelion Peanut Party at Pelion in Lexington County is a highlight of the summer. Additionally, the General Assembly has legislated the beloved boiled peanut as the official State snack.
Today, I am grateful to introduce the South Carolina Peanut Parity Act, legislation that will grant peanut producers the opportunity to represent South Carolina's agricultural community on the Peanut Standards Board.
I appreciate the support of the South Carolina Farm Bureau, led by President Harry Ott, for this legislation, and am grateful that the entire South Carolina delegation joins me in introducing the South Carolina Peanut Parity Act.
In conclusion, God Bless Our Troops and we will never forget September 11th in the Global War on Terrorism.
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