Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the farmers and ranchers whose work does not stop. Even in the face of extreme freezing temperatures and abnormal snowfall, Kansans are standing strong and getting the job done. The Big First District of Kansas is one of the most productive agricultural areas in the country. It is home to more than 60,000 farms and ranches and is made up of farmers, ranchers, feed lot managers, nutritionists, ethanol producers, ag lenders, millers, and agribusiness owners who feed, clothe, and fuel the world. I grew up in the Big First, and I spent thousands of hours on a tractor in fields and on horseback doctoring cattle in our family's feed yard. I know well agriculture's working conditions are demanding on a good day but especially so when our business partner, Mother Nature, is as unforgiving as she has been lately. In the past few days, parts of Kansas have seen 15-plus inches of snow, electricity outages for days, and road closures that stretch from every corner of the State. But those who stand with snow up to their knees in the depths of winter or haul water in the drought of summer know agriculture does not take days off. In fact, in weather like this, producers work even harder to keep livestock and commodities safe and secure. No matter the temperature, they go to work long before most of us are awake and stay out until many of us have already laid down our heads at night.…”