Date: 1984-06-06
Speaker: DE LA GARZA (democrat)
Chamber: H

Mr. Chairman. first let me thank the distinguished chairman of the Appropriations Committee for allowing me this time. Very briefly. I want to commend him and the members of the committee. the ranking minority member. for the work they have done on behalf of agriculture. Second. earlier in the debate there was mention as to the importance of the agricultural sector of the farmers and ranchers. of the producers of this country. in relation to the basic needs of this country. Now. to put it in perspective. let me say one thing. This bill entails some $34 billion. Now. it is $34 billion out of a $900 billion budget. which is a very. very small amount. Out of that $34 billion you have funds for food stamps. child nutrition feeding programs. research. institutions of higher learning. Extension Service. et cetera. so when you come down to the basic programs of the farmer you are really talking not too terribly much over $10 to $15 billion out of a $900 billion budget. Now. let me tell you a story that I think now Is getting to be spread around. When I joined the Navy I wanted to get on board a ship and see the world. The Navy would not put me on board a ship. When I came to Congress I had an opportunity to go on a ship. I went on a submarine. a nuclear sub. I asked the question before I got off: "How long can this submarine stay under water without surfacing?" The commander looked at me and told me: "This submarine can stay underwater as long as I have food for my crew." So who runs the defense of this country? The farmers of America run the defense of this country. Satellites can stay in space there until the end of time. How long can it stay manned? As long as they have food. And yet we complain about $34 billion out of $900 billion budget. And every day. hopefully. everyone in America has three meals a day. Without the farmer. without the rancher you do not eat. niy friends. That is the basic truth. And $34 billion is but a very small investment in the security and the health and the safety of this great country of ours. And we still have some to send abroad. The agricultural sector is the only sector bringing money back to this country from what we sell. We feed our people the best quality food in the history of the world for the lowest amount of disposable income per family in the history of the world. That is what the farmers and the ranchers of America are doing for this great country of ours and for our people. The distinguished chairman and the members of this committee. cognizant of this fact. are trying to invest a little bit of our tax dollars. Yes. I know for a poor boy from south Texas talking about millions is quite traumatic. billions more so. $34 billion out of $900 billion. Without the farmer and the rancher you just do not eat. the country does not function. The human dies without food. I commend the chairman again. and I recommend to the Members of the House and this committee that you support the chairman In his endeavor. We have a little disagreement. There will be a small amendment by the gentleman from California . but this is but a very small area. Basically. the Appropriations Committee carried out the will and the intent of the legislative committee.