Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, September is National Rice Month. For those of us in the agriculture community, there are two numbers that stuck out. One is 2050; the other is 9 billion. Let me explain. By the year 2050, we expect the human population will be at about 9 billion people. Beyond all the other concerns we have about such a large population, among those concerns is: How will we feed that many people? I believe that hearty, wholesome grains like Arkansas rice will be a part of the answer to that important question. Rice is nutrient-dense, containing over 15 vitamins and minerals, including folic acid, B vitamins, iron, and zinc. It is easily stored, transported, and an incredibly versatile kitchen staple for families around the world. In an age of concern over healthy, affordable foods, rice supplies an answer that other grains can't match. A one-half cup cooked serving of rice costs less than 10 cents and provides complex carbohydrates that fuel the human body. But here in the United States Congress, one of the problems I run into is that people don't know that we grow rice in the United States. I do what I can to spread the word about American rice production, including sending other Members Rice Krispies Treats on their birthdays. If we are going to use rice as a tool for solving the world's need for cheap, affordable foods, we have got to keep telling the story about American rice. I can't think of any other food more important for feeding the world. ____________________”