Jim Costa: “I, too, want to congratulate the chairman and the ranking member for an effort that has extended now over 2 rac{1}{2}…”

“I, too, want to congratulate the chairman and the ranking member for an effort that has extended now over 2 rac{1}{2} years. Mr. Speaker, certainly the measure before us, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, reflects a bipartisan compromise and consensus not easily gained. I represent three of the country's most productive agricultural counties in the Nation. In my district alone, farmers grow over 300 various crops, which oftentimes are referred to as specialty crops, fruits, vegetables all sorts of diversified good food in America. For the first time the important segment of American agriculture is being recognized, not in the form of subsidies, but in support of research, competitiveness programs, focusing on pest and disease prevention efforts. Not only does this help our growers, but it helps our consumers to ensure availability of safe, healthy fruits and vegetables for our citizens, a diet that's based upon good science. Our farmers are working hard to implement better environmental stewardship programs, but they face continued challenges as it relates to air quality concerns and water shortages. This makes improvements in those areas as well. Is this bill perfect? Certainly not, but it represents a hard-fought compromise. I urge my colleagues to support the conference report.”