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[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 119 Referred in House (RFH)]

  2d Session
S. CON. RES. 119

_______________________________________________________________________

                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                            December 5, 2006

                Referred to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                         CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress that public policy should continue to 
  protect and strengthen the ability of farmers and ranchers to join 
               together in cooperative self-help efforts.

Whereas the ability of farmers and ranchers in the United States to join 
        together in cooperative self-help efforts is vital to their continued 
        economic viability;
Whereas Federal laws have long recognized the importance of protecting and 
        strengthening the ability of farmers and ranchers to join together in 
        cooperative self-help efforts, including to cooperatively market their 
        products, ensure access to competitive markets, and help achieve other 
        important public policy goals;
Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives play an important role in helping 
        farmers and ranchers improve their income from the marketplace, manage 
        their risk, meet their credit and other input needs, and compete more 
        effectively in a rapidly changing global economy;
Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives also play an important role in 
        providing consumers in the United States and abroad with a dependable 
        supply of safe, affordable, high-quality food, fiber, and related 
        products;
Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives also help meet the energy needs 
        of the United States, including through the production and marketing of 
        renewable fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel;
Whereas there are nearly 3,000 farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives located 
        throughout the United States with a combined membership representing a 
        majority of the nearly 2 million farmers and ranchers in the United 
        States; and
Whereas farmer- and rancher-owned cooperatives also contribute significantly to 
        the economic well being of rural America as well as the overall economy, 
        including accounting for as many as 250,000 jobs: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), 
That it is the Sense of the Congress that public policy should continue 
to protect and strengthen the ability of farmers and ranchers to join 
together in cooperative self-help efforts--
            (1) to improve their income from the marketplace and their 
        economic well-being;
            (2) to capitalize on new market opportunities; and
            (3) to help meet the food and fiber needs of consumers, 
        provide for increased energy production, promote rural 
        development, maintain and create needed jobs, and contribute to 
        a growing United States economy.

            Passed the Senate November 16, 2006.

            Attest:

                                             EMILY J. REYNOLDS,

                                                             Secretary.
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