Grown in America Act
Floor Speech
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Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, in my district my farmers produce a bounty of fruits and vegetables that feed families across the country and abroad. My farmers work hard in the field every single day. They love their families, their farms, and the healthy products that they grow. They also love their country. As with many of my constituents, they are proud to fly the American flag on Memorial Day and the Fourth of July.
My resolution, the Grown in America Act, encourages farmers across the country to feature the American flag on their packaging so that all Americans know quickly and easily that the food that they are feeding their families is grown with pride right here in the good old USA.
In the U.S., we have 310 million consumers to feed, and much of the food is supplied by our hardworking farmers right here at home. Whether you realize it or not, agriculture is at the center of many of our vital issues: feeding the hungry, improving our health, addressing the crisis of childhood obesity, emphasizing the importance of the school lunch program and much, much more.
Where does that food come from? From people across the United States who are becoming more curious about their food sources. They want to know more about the food products themselves and who grew it.
This resolution also has a practical application. Starting in 2002, Congress mandated that all food products be labeled with their country of origin. We had a sense that consumers wanted to know the true origins of their food. And when given that choice, consumers will choose an American-made product most every time. This choice strengthens demand and prices for U.S. farmers and ranchers. It is also important that the public understand the vital role domestic agriculture carries out to produce the safest and highest quality food in the world.
Agriculture not only serves the public with high quality food, but it also creates jobs right here. In a time of economic hardship, a strong agricultural sector is needed to ensure employment at multiple levels. We often use the expression ``farm to fork'' in reference to the jobs gained as a certain commodity is grown, harvested, packed, bagged, labeled, shipped, and sold at local farmers' markets and in our neighborhood grocery stores.
With this resolution, consumers can be even more empowered to choose American products over foreign imports. The flag clearly communicates the origin of the fruit or vegetable, and it's easier to read than the fine print at the bottom of the label that reads ``Product of the USA.''
If we want to feed our children the healthiest possible foods and simultaneously try to create jobs in our country, then we need to encourage American production of American products. I'm proud of the great agricultural tradition of this country, Mr. Speaker, and I encourage my colleagues to support this resolution.
I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the gen tle lady from Ohio, the ranking member on my committee, for her support of this resolution. It's a pleasure to serve with her on the Horticulture and Organic Subcommittee of the Agriculture Committee. I would just say that support of this resolution is in fact, as she said, something that will help promote products, and it is voluntary.
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