Statements on Introduced Bills and Joint Resolutions
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS -- (Senate - July 27, 2006)
By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
S. 3746. A bill to authorize the Secretry of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture to make grants to facilitate the establishment of the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California; to the committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today with my colleague Senator Feinstein to introduce a bill authorizing the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to make grants to facilitate the establishment of the National Ag Science Center in Stanislaus County, California. This bill will create a facility that will help teach visitors from all across the country about the significance of agriculture in our Nation's culture and economy, the importance of science in agriculture, and California's role as the Nation's preeminent agricultural State.
This bill will designate $10 million in total grant funding to help fund construction costs of the center, with the federal share limited to 33 percent of the total cost. I am happy to report that the center is making great progress on raising private donations to complete its share of the construction funding.
The center will help promote California's place as the Nation's most diverse and productive agricultural State. With the farmers, growers, and ranchers of our State producing over 350 different crops and commodities, and nearly 80,000 active farming operations, agriculture is one of California's most important industries. From our vineyards and wineries, to the almond, stone fruit, strawberry, cotton, and rice farms, to the citrus groves of central and southern California, to the dairy and cattle ranches across the State, farming and agriculture are ubiquitous in California and impact all of our communities in an important way.
The farms, large and small, produce half of America's produce and are exported all across the globe, providing billions of dollars to our economy and balance of trade.
The center's mission will place an emphasis on agricultural science education, with interactive, high-technology exhibits designed to foster an understanding of the importance of agriculture, and how science plays an essential role in the farm-to-food process. There will also be a strong focus on highlighting the important relationship between agriculture, conservation, and the environment.
I would also like to thank Representatives CARDOZA, MATSUI and RADANOVICH for introducing a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
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