Political Quotes

“Yesterday was National Agriculture Day, a day to celebrate the contributions of America's farmers, growers, and ranchers. These hardworking men and women provide our families with the food, fuel, and fiber we need each and every day. According to the USDA, the agriculture sector contributed nearly $1.3 trillion to our GDP in 2021 and accounted for a tenth of all U.S. employment. My district in southern Illinois is home to more than 10,000 producers, and one of the most diverse agricultural districts in the region. In addition to corn and soybean, southern Illinois produces rice, specialty crops, livestock, dairy, wine, and more than one-half of the horseradish in the United States. But these aren't easy jobs. Farmers are often at the mercy of the weather and other factors well beyond their control. As a member of the House Agriculture Committee, I believe that the new farm bill provides us a critical opportunity to put farmers first and support programs like crop insurance to strengthen our food security. I am proud to cosponsor H.R. 235 designating March 21, 2023, as National Agriculture Day, and I will continue to fight for our southern Illinois farming families every day that I serve in Congress. ____________________”