Bobby Rush

I urge the members of this Select Committee to co-sponsor this important legislation and hope to see it passed before the end of the 117th Congress.

I am absolutely committed to the idea, and the potential, of trying to create a unity of will, a unity of spirit, and a unity of understanding, in terms of the whole cooperative sector of our society.

I am extremely interested in member cooperatives, and I am looking forward to ways to expand ag co-ops to urban areas.

I certainly want to thank you, Mr. Chairman. This has been a very, very informative hearing, and I thank you for it.

We on the Agriculture Committee have a special and unique mission to try to help solve the problem of Black farmers in our nation.

I am continually concerned about the impact of any new costs on our nation's farmers and, specifically, the energy costs as it relates to minority farmers and consumers.

I certainly want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this outstanding hearing this morning.

Discrimination and prejudice absolutely should not be tolerated in any government program, any organization, or any individual.

It's imperative we safeguard both these program titles for our national security and the economic viability of U.S. farmers and ranchers.

During the hearing, I asked what I thought was a straightforward question: what policies would our expert panel made up of commodity group witnesses recommend to rectify both the historic and current discrimination too often faced by…

What specific policies would you recommend to combat the historic and current discrimination too often faced by Black and Brown farmers in your respective industries?

What specific policies would you recommend to combat the historic and current discrimination too often faced by Black and Brown farmers?

According to a review of USDA data, nearly all of the funds provided to farmers to offset the current impacts of the pandemic COVID-19 went to White farmers.

I am concerned that not much has changed, Mr. Chairman, for Black farmers over the last decades.

I think that they have been too often overlooked.

There is too much potential agriculturally in my City of Chicago.

I really appreciate your continued commitment to working with me and the other Members of this Committee.

I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this hearing.

The health of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and Mississippi Rivers, and the broader Great Lakes are absolutely vital not just to the city of Chicago, but to the entire nation.

I urge you to make sure that the bill your Committee develops adequately protects and fosters the resources my community depends upon.

Water resources are the lifeblood of the city of Chicago and the 1st Congressional District of Illinois.

I have been proud to champion electric vehicle infrastructure modeling, and specifically infrastructure for urban and rural underserved areas.

It is absolutely essential that we pass policies to protect to protect them.

Like my colleagues, I am also a strong advocate for a comprehensive Federal policy legislation.