III 

109TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. CON. RES. 119 

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. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

SEPTEMBER 27, 2006 

Mrs. LINCOLN (for herself, Mr. CRAIG, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. DORGAN, Mr. 

CONRAD, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mr. PRYOR, Mr. HARKIN, Mr. CRAPO, Mr. 

DEWINE, Mr. TALENT, Mr. BAUCUS, Mr. THUNE, Mr. BURNS, Mr. 

BOND, Mr. ENZI, Ms. STABENOW, Mr. COCHRAN, and Mr. JOHNSON) 

submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 

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 


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•SCON 119 IS 

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 

1 Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 

2 concurring), That it is the Sense of the Congress that pub3 lic policy should continue to protect and strengthen the 

4 ability of farmers and ranchers to join together in coopera5 tive self-help efforts— 


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•SCON 119 IS 

1 (1) to improve their income from the market2 place and their economic well-being; 

3 (2) to capitalize on new market opportunities; 

4 and 

5 (3) to help meet the food and fiber needs of 

6 consumers, provide for increased energy production, 

7 promote rural development, maintain and create 

8 needed jobs, and contribute to a growing United 

9 States economy. 

Æ 


CColeman on PROD1PC71 with BILLS