Mike Conaway: “I want to thank Mr. Smith for yielding and the other colleagues for the work they have done on this issue. Mr. Speaker…”

“I want to thank Mr. Smith for yielding and the other colleagues for the work they have done on this issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1567, the Global Food Security Act of 2016. With the world population rapidly increasing, particularly in some of the most impoverished and food-insecure regions, it is of critical importance that the United States maintain its position as the world leader in the effort to alleviate global hunger and enhance food security. The agricultural community is proud to have long played a crucial role in this effort. We are eager to continue doing our part. As chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, I vow to ensure that the expertise of the agriculture community is fully leveraged in the global food security efforts that are moving forward. To fulfill that promise, I have worked closely with the Committee on Foreign Affairs to ensure that the bill before us today capitalizes on the wealth of knowledge and expertise within the U.S. Department of Agriculture and amongst agricultural businesses, commodity groups, agricultural producers, agricultural research institutions, land grant colleges and universities, and the agricultural extension system. Beyond requiring collaboration with key agricultural stakeholders, the bill will also improve the monitoring and reporting of the various programs and funds counted toward the success of the current Feed the Future initiative.…”