Frank Lucas

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, it is with the greatest of pleasure that I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Benishek) who is so focused on these issues.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rodney Davis), who has worked extremely diligently early on on this bill and through the entire process.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, might I inquire how much time the three of us have?

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. First, I would also like to join my colleague in adding to the Congressional Record a list of the majority staff members. I must say in all fairness, while there was cooperation among the members of the committee itself, the cooperation among House and Senate Members was exemplary. I would also note the work of our staff, those good men and women, R and D, House and Senate, over the course of these years cannot be underestimated or underappreciated. The hours, the spirit of comity, the focus on accomplishing things, trying to do good policy, it just cannot be overstated how important all those good folks have been. With that, Mr. Speaker, let me simply close by saying this: no one cares more about agricultural policy, farmers and ranchers, consumers and everyone in the process that takes it from the seed to the plate or the bowl than I do. But I think in good faith I can say my colleague Mr. Peterson cares just as much as I do. The members of our committee care just as much as we do. This bill, done in what I would like to define as regular order through the committee process and the floor and the conference, may not have exactly everything my friends on the right would want or my friends on the left would want, but it represents making the process work, achieving consensus, putting into place policies that are better than what were there before to drive this effort forward. I know that we sincerely disagree on many things, and I know some of my friends don't sometimes act like they care about what happens out on the farm or the ranch. I know that is not the case. They do care. But I would simply say this: no matter how much money we spend on supplemental programs to make sure our fellow citizens have enough to eat--and that is important--never forget if there is not a product on the shelf, if there is not meat in the case, if there are not vegetables or fruit available, it doesn't matter how much you subsidize. The food has to be there. That is why I have said all along a farm bill still has to have farm in it. This Agriculture Act of 2014 lives up to that. It makes a commitment to our fellow citizens who are in tough times, but it will also ensure the food will be there. Don't take us down the path that many other countries have gone through in the last century of people lined up at empty shelves, people hoarding particular ag products because it is available that day because they will trade it the next day when something might be available. Let's continue to do this miracle called American agriculture. Oh, by the way, depending on how you define ``miracle'' in the environment we have worked together in, this farm bill might not be quite defined by most people as a miracle, but it is amazingly close. Mr. Speaker, let's pass the conference report, let's complete our responsibilities, let's show the rest of this place how it is supposed to be done. I yield back the balance of my time. House Committee on Agriculture Staff List Majority Staff: Brent Blevins, Caleb Crosswhite, Mike Dunlap, Bart Fischer, Jason Goggins, John Goldberg, Tamara Hinton, John Konya, Kevin Kramp, Brandon Lipps, Alan Mackey, Brian Martin-Haynes, Josh Mathis, Josh Maxwell, Merrick Munday, Danita Murray, Mary Nowak, Riley Pagett, Matt Schertz, Nicole Scott, Debbie Smith, Skylar Sowder, Patricia Straughn, Pelham Straughn, Pete Thomson, Margaret Wetherald.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentlewoman from South Dakota (Mrs. Noem), who understands the diversity of weather and understands the challenges that producers have.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Cole), who has some of the most productive agricultural land and some of the most amazing farmers and ranchers.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers. I believe I have the right to close. I reserve the balance of my time, unless we are ready to close.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Austin Scott), another one of my outstanding subcommittee chairmen.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Crawford), one of my outstanding subcommittee chairmen.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the conference report to accompany H.R. 2642.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 3 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2014; and when the House adjourns on that day, it adjourn to meet on Monday, February 3, 2014, when it shall convene at noon for morning- hour debate and 2 p.m. for legislative business.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Will the gentleman yield?

Mr. LUCAS. Yes, Mr. Calvert, I do. I have already had a conversation with Chairwoman Stabenow, who is a strong supporter of PILT funding, as well as Chairman Hastings of the House Natural Resources Committee, whose committee oversees the program. I also have the backing of House Republican leadership. I can assure you both that it is my intention to provide funding for PILT in the final conference committee agreement on the farm bill. I am very much aware of the importance of this program for rural communities across America in providing funding for necessary functions like police, education, and infrastructure. Thank you for this opportunity to discuss this important issue, and I look forward to working with you on this in the very near future.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in remembrance of Floyd King, a decorated World War II veteran, peanut farmer and advocate, model U.S. citizen and one of my constituents. Floyd was born September 14th, of 1918 in Binger, Oklahoma and recently passed on December 11th of 2013 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Floyd was the youngest of 8 and grew up in Sickles, Oklahoma and married his wife Lola in 1941. Floyd served the United States in the Army during the Second World War in the European Theatre, seeing action at the Bulge, Geilenkirchen, and near Bastogne where he exhibited courage and skill that earned him the Bronze Star. Upon returning from the war Floyd bought a farm in Caddo County and engaged in production agriculture. Inspired by irrigation systems he had observed in California during his military training, he studied and researched the aquifers of western Oklahoma and the drilling of water wells and started King's Irrigation Service in 1954. Floyd worked with Oklahoma State University and U.S. Speaker of the House Carl Albert to further research that supported peanut production in Caddo County. He was President of the Southwest Peanut Growers Association and of the Oklahoma Peanut Growers Association. He sat on the National Peanut Board of Directors, on the Anadarko Bank and Trust Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors of the Gold Kist Corporation in Atlanta, GA. Floyd lobbied Congress, myself included, for decades to preserve the federal peanut program. Floyd was a member of the Oakdale Missionary Baptist Church where he served in many capacities including Sunday School Teacher and Song Leader. He was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Cedar Hills Baptist Youth Camp for many years, and was a very proud to help raise funds for the National World War Two Memorial. Floyd was passionate about serving the Lord through song. He and his brothers Ted, Eugene, and Warren King comprised the ``King Brothers Quartet'' which sang across the area at church and social gatherings, weddings and funerals, and even on the radio. He is what I consider to be a great individual example of America's ``Greatest Generation'', a generation which endured the great depression, dust bowl and World War II. Floyd survived these hardships and grew stronger, just as many did. He was a pillar of the community and a dedicated man of faith, family and country who will not be forgotten. I stand here to share the legacy of this man from Western Oklahoma who showed that while things may not always be easy, character is developed through life experiences--to which he had attained both in droves. In recognition of all that he has done, Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my colleagues join me in remembering the life of Floyd King who will be greatly missed by those whom he proceeded, but has now joined his brothers and sisters--resting peacefully in eternity.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill, H.R. 3695.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I might consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3695, which provides a temporary extension of the 2008 farm bill. I believe this short-term extension provides certainty to everyone going into the new year, that permanent law will not be triggered while the conference committee continues its work on a new bill. We are making significant progress in our negotiations with the Senate, and I am confident we will be able to finish the conference report in January. In the meantime, the reality is that unless we act today, permanent law takes effect January 1. The press headlines already speak of doom, that we are on the brink of going off the dairy cliff. Time magazine says: ``People are freaking out about $8-a-gallon milk.'' And there is widespread speculation about what will happen and when exactly. It is not necessary to have that kind of panic throughout the country for producers and consumers, especially around the holidays. This bill makes clear what will happen on January 1, and passing it is the responsible action to take, given the legislative calendar. Furthermore, we are not breaking any new ground. The 2002 farm bill was extended six times before the 2008 farm bill was enacted. Mr. Speaker, I urge and encourage my colleagues to join me in supporting this short-term extension of the farm bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3695) to provide a temporary extension of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and amendments made by that Act, as previously extended and amended and with certain additional modifications and exceptions, to suspend permanent price support authorities, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I would note to my colleague I have a couple of thoughts myself and I would conclude with that, so if he has anything else he would like to address.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time just simply to note to all my colleagues that my friend from California is exactly right. The importance of completing this cannot be overstated. The progress we have made certainly has been incredible, and we are on the verge. I would just simply note to all of my colleagues, as I have advocated caution and responsibility throughout this entire process, this is an opportunity for Members to cast a vote to acknowledge to the folks back home that, no matter what happens in the negotiations process, we will not have a dairy cliff. We will not have uncertainty for producers and, ultimately, the American consumers. Each Member of this body is challenged to do what they think is wise. I would simply say to my colleagues, pass the extension, take care of business, and we, on the Ag Committee, will take care of our business in January. With that, Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 380, I move to take from the Speaker's table the bill (H.R. 2642) to provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes, with the House amendment to the Senate amendment thereto, insist on the House amendment, and agree to the conference requested by the Senate.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and I move the previous question. The previous question was ordered.

Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am so overjoyed to rise today to be at this point in the farm bill process, where we are on the verge of sitting down with our friends in the other body and beginning to put the final bill together. This has been a long and challenging process for both myself, the ranking member Mr. Peterson, and all members of the House Agriculture Committee. We have touched on many subject matters. We have had the most amazing open markups in committee, with amendments almost beyond galore. Twice we have been across the floor of this great body in, essentially, an open process, considering literally 100-plus amendments almost every time it seems. From that process we are now, with a product, ready to go to conference with the other body. This motion, and the next two sense of Congress resolutions, address several things that were decided on the floor of this House. While I appreciate mightily the opportunity to reassess the judgments of the body, I would just simply say this, looking at the various points: my good friend the ranking member is exactly right. This motion would restore 1938 and 1949 law as the permanent base farm bill. Franklin Roosevelt was President, of course, when the 1938 law was signed into place. President Truman signed the 1949 law into place. Those laws were designed at a time when I suspect the average tractor was 55 horsepower. I suppose the average dairy might have been 40 cows. They were put in place on the assumptions of parity and production controls and allotments and production history, a lot of things that have long since faded away in subsequent farm bills. I know my friend and a number of groups, in good faith, advocate that we keep that 1938 and 1949 law in place. But I would suggest to my colleagues, the open process we have been through, the open process we are about to have in conference, if we can come up with good language that a majority of both bodies can agree on, that a fellow down at the White House will sign if it is good policy, maybe the conference should be given the option, as is now the case within the farm bill language, of using the 2013 farm bill as base. The Senate retains the old permanent law from 1938 and 1949. At present, we don't do that in the House draft, so we have got the ability to discuss it. We have got the ability to work on it. I, personally, think that's a good thing. Now, the other portion of this motion, and this reflects, again, some very serious, sincere differences of opinion, both in committee and on the floor, about how to address the fundamental nature of the nutrition title. This House decided that the reauthorization should be for 3 years instead of what would be the more traditional concurrent authorization with the rest of the farm bill. I think every Member has to vote their own conscience on that issue. But, understand: the motion, as structured, would take away the potential option for moving permanent law from the Roosevelt-Truman administration to the present day, and it would also restore that 5- year authorization on nutrition programs, things my colleagues have to take into consideration and factor. Mr. Speaker, I note to my colleague I am my only speaker on this issue. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. LUCAS

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Conaway), the chairman of our primary subcommittee on the House Agriculture Committee.

Mr. LUCAS. Madam Speaker, how much time is remaining?