On the recordMay 15, 2012
I stand today to pay tribute to a great American success story. Today marks the 150th anniversary of the founding of the United States Department of Agriculture. President Abraham Lincoln founded USDA, as it's commonly called, and directed its focus to advancing America's agriculture industry through science and engineering. Today, our country's advanced system of production agriculture is evidence of how successful we are by being the world leader in food production, conservation innovations, in the development and use of agricultural biotechnology that helps produce biofuels, as well as helping farmers export their products that contribute to our positive balance of agricultural trade. And so, Mr. Speaker, I pay tribute and extend my personal best wishes to USDA on its 150th anniversary. I also congratulate Secretary Vilsack and all the fine men and women who work or have worked in the Department, and I wish them another 150 years of success. ____________________
