Cramer Delivers Keynote at Public Launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba

Press Release

Today Congressman Kevin Cramer delivered a keynote address at the public launch of the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba in Washington, D.C at the National Press Club. The newly formed coalition aims to re-establish Cuba as a market for U.S. food and agriculture exports.

In December, Congressman Cramer expressed his support for President Obama's move toward normalizing relations with Cuba. Today Cramer was part of a group of five Representatives and Senators who helped launch the U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba, which includes more than 25 prominent U.S. food and agriculture companies and associations who seek to advance trade relations between the U.S. and Cuba.

"The real excitement for me is the opportunity to influence an oppressed country for liberty, the opportunity to spread democracy, the opportunity to do what farmers do naturally, and that is feed hungry people," said Cramer in his remarks. "And if the result of spreading democracy is that we sell more of our commodities to a hungry world, that's awesome. Trade ought to be a part of diplomacy."

Members of the new coalition include the American Farm Bureau Federation, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, the National Association of Wheat Growers, the National Barley Growers Association, National Farmers Union, the U.S. Canola Association, USA Rice Federation, the National Sorghum Producers, and the U.S. Dry Bean Council.

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