Glenn Thompson

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this afternoon I will meet with leaders from the School Nutrition Association of Pennsylvania, commonly called SNAPa, which is a statewide organization of school nutrition professionals. SNAPa works to advance quality child nutrition programs through education and advocacy. Organized in 1955, SNAPa is an all-volunteer board of directors elected by its member, which currently stands at more than 2,300 individuals. As chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition and a senior member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, I know the essential services that SNAPa works to provide. Students throughout the Commonwealth receive high-quality, low-cost meals thanks to SNAPa. Mr. Speaker, it is important to remember that, for some students, the only meal that they receive is at school. This organization works to keep our children healthy and ensure that they have healthy food options through school meal programs. SNAPa is recognized as the authority on school nutrition in Pennsylvania. I sincerely thank SNAPa for advancing the availability, quality, and acceptance of school nutrition programs as an essential part of education in Pennsylvania for more than 60 years.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children--or WIC--is a short- term intervention program designed to help ensure pregnant women and their children are able to meet healthy nutritional needs. WIC began in 1972 as a supplemental food pilot program aimed at improving the health of pregnant mothers, infants, and children in response to a growing concern of malnutrition among low-income families. By 1974, WIC was operating in 45 States and became a permanent program in 1975. WIC provides participants with monthly benefits redeemable for specific foods to supplement their diets, as well as related nutrition and health services. WIC provides quality nutrition education and services; breastfeeding promotion and education; a monthly food package; and access to maternal, prenatal, and pediatric healthcare services. WIC has served 8.3 million participants each month through 10,000 clinics nationwide in 2014; 806,000 pregnant women; 592,000 breastfeeding women; 575,000 postpartum women; 2 million infants; and 4.3 million children. Mr. Speaker, numerous studies have shown that pregnant women who participate in WIC have longer pregnancies, leading to fewer premature births. They have fewer low and very low birth weight babies. They experience fewer fetal and infant deaths, and they seek prenatal care earlier in pregnancy and consume more of key nutrients, such as iron, protein, calcium, vitamins A and C. WIC has been addressing the nutrition and health needs of low-income families for more than 40 years. I rise today as chairman of the Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition but also as someone who knows firsthand how important WIC is for many Americans. In the early 1980s, when my wife, Penny, and I were just starting out, we were eligible for WIC based on our income. We used WIC to supplement our personal resources at the time to ensure that Penny, who was expecting our first son, was healthy. Back then, WIC truly helped us supplement what we needed after our personal resources and the family assistance and support came into play. Nutrition influences health at every stage of life. Good nutrition during pregnancy is especially important to support fetal development and protect mothers from pregnancy-related risks of gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain, hypertension, and iron deficiency anemia. Good nutrition in early childhood can promote development and foster healthy behaviors that may carry over into adulthood. Mr. Speaker, the facts are clear: WIC works. Let's ensure this program remains viable for generations to come. WIC truly provides a competitive edge that will give everyone a fair shot at life--a fair start in life, and the American people deserve no less.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, yesterday, the world celebrated Autism Awareness Day. Each year, Autism Speaks asks people across the Nation and around the globe to ``Light It Up Blue'' in an effort to increase understanding and acceptance. Last night, right here in our Nation's Capital, the White House joined hundreds of iconic landmarks as it illuminated the exterior blue. Individuals wore blue clothing or turned their online profile photos blue. Autism spectrum disorders affect an estimated 1 out of every 68 children in the United States. These families face enormous challenges in assisting their loved ones over the course of their lifetimes. Each year, an estimated 50,000 youth will turn 18 in the United States, and many face a services cliff when school-based programs end. Men and women living on the autism spectrum have made incredible contributions to our society. We must continue to research the causes of autism and work to strengthen opportunities for individuals with autism to live full lives. Together, we can increase understanding and acceptance as we celebrate and support so many Americans who live with autism.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the Penn State men's wrestling team for winning the NCAA Division I National Championship earlier this month in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Speaker, Penn State has been a force to be reckoned with in Division I wrestling. This is Penn State's sixth title in 7 years. It is the second consecutive national title. I could not be more proud of my alma mater or this team that gave us a season to remember. Many college athletes dream about participating at the NCAA championships. It marks the pinnacle of their athletic careers. Among the Nittany Lion national champions, All-Americans Bo Nickal, Jason Nolf, and Zain Retherford combined for a total of 82.5 points, which would have placed the trio sixth overall in the final team standings. Penn State also made history with All-Americans true freshman Mark Hall and redshirt freshman Vincenzo Joseph earning their first titles to become the first freshmen NCAA champions in program history. Congratulations to Coach Sanderson and the Nittany Lions on this outstanding achievement. Your hard work and dedication shows, and you are the pride of Happy Valley.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday the Nation celebrated Medal of Honor Day. This rarely celebrated holiday was designated by Congress in 1990 but only officially observed once, on March 25, 1991. I was pleased to see our most decorated war heroes honored last Friday during a ceremony at the White House. The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor our Nation can bestow. According to the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, there have been 3,498 recipients, and 75 of those individuals are still living today. Just last year, I was able to recognize one of Pennsylvania's very own Medal of Honor recipients, late Army Specialist Ross McGinnis. I assisted in naming a post office in Knox, Clarion County, for Specialist McGinnis, who died in December 2006 in Iraq. Specialist McGinnis was a native son of Knox, Pennsylvania. While on patrol in eastern Baghdad on December 4, 2006, an unidentified insurgent positioned on a nearby rooftop threw a grenade into a Humvee carrying McGinnis and other troops. Specialist McGinnis threw his body on top of the grenade, absorbing all the fragments of the grenade with his own body and saving the lives of his fellow soldiers. He was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by President George W. Bush in 2008. Mr. Speaker, another such hero, Foster Joseph Sayers, is from my hometown of Howard, Pennsylvania. He received the Medal of Honor for acts of bravery near Thionville, France, on November 12, 1944. During an attack on strong hostile forces entrenched on a hill, he fearlessly ran up the steep approach towards his objective and then set up a machine gun 20 yards from the enemy. Realizing it would be necessary to attract full attention of the enemy while his company crossed an open area and flanked the enemy, he picked up the gun, charged through withering machine-gun and rifle fire to the very edge of the emplacement. He killed 12 German soldiers with devastating close-range fire. He took up a position behind a log and engaged the hostile enemy from the flank in an heroic attempt to distract their attention while his comrades obtained their objective at the crest of the hill. He was killed by the very heavy concentration of return fire, but his fearless assault enabled his company to sweep the hill with minimum casualties, killing or capturing every enemy soldier on it. Private First Class Sayers' indomitable fighting spirit, aggressiveness, and supreme devotion to duty live on as an example of the highest traditions of the military service for which he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Another heroic Medal of Honor recipient from Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District is Private First Class Melvin L. Brown. Private First Class Brown earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the Korean war. During an attack on his platoon's perimeter of defense, Private First Class Brown took his position on a retaining wall approximately 50 feet high. The enemy, superior in number, started climbing the wall just as Brown's last round of ammunition was expended, and he was wounded by enemy fire. His citation said: ``Realizing the vital necessity for holding and without concern for his personal safety, though wounded and without his rifle, Brown continued to throw his few remaining hand grenades into the enemy, causing several casualties with each grenade. When his supply of grenades was depleted, his comrades from nearby foxholes commenced throwing grenades towards his position. On several occasions, the grenades were thrown short of his position. When this would occur, Brown would leave his position and retrieve the grenades, exposing himself to enemy rifle and machine-gun fire.'' The enemy continued their climb, and Brown was able to knock 10 to 12 enemy troops from the wall, which served as an inspiration to his comrades and delayed the attack and enabled his platoon to repel the enemy. Brown was seriously injured and then died during that action. Heroic acts for Pennsylvanians during times of war go back to the Civil War. The Medal of Honor, established by joint resolution of Congress on the 12th of July 1862, is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the armed services, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life, above and beyond the call of duty. A large percentage of Medal of Honor recipients during this time were actually awarded for action involving flags. One such Medal of Honor recipient from my hometown was Civil War Corporal Franklin Hogan, a member of Company A, Pennsylvania 45th Infantry. His citation was awarded on October 1, 1864, for the capture of the battle flag of the 6th Virginia Infantry. Mr. Speaker, there are more Medal of Honor recipients from Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District and throughout this proud Nation. Each one demonstrated personal bravery or self-sacrifice that warranted this extraordinary merit. On behalf of a grateful Nation, I salute all of our Medal of Honor recipients.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the first official National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Just yesterday, President Trump signed a bill into law permanently designating March 29 as the day we honor our Vietnam veterans. Madam Speaker, in many instances, our Vietnam veterans often did not receive a warm welcome home when they returned from war. This is a small step toward giving these brave men and women the recognition they deserve. It was on this day in 1973 that the last combat troops were ordered out of Vietnam. Forty-four years later, the House and Senate unanimously approved this Federal statute recognizing and honoring our Vietnam veterans who answered the Nation's call and served with honor and distinction. This effort began in Pennsylvania as the brainchild of Sergeant Harold Redding, a Vietnam veteran from York, Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania's own Senator Pat Toomey led the charge to make this day a reality. Madam Speaker, we all know someone who served in Vietnam. Those veterans are our friends, our family, our neighbors. Thank you to all of our Vietnam veterans. May God bless you on this National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ellwood National Crankshaft on receiving STAR certification in the OSHA Voluntary Protection Program. Ellwood National Crankshaft, located in Irvine, Pennsylvania, is a unique manufacturer of new and reconditioned crankshafts for medium- speed engines in the 800- to 6,000-horsepower range. Mr. Speaker, in order to attain this distinguished certification, a facility has met or exceeded the performance-based criteria for a managed safety and health system. It also passed the rigorous onsite evaluation conducted by a team of OSHA safety and health experts. This recognition is even more significant, knowing that Ellwood National Crankshaft is one of only a few forging and process safety management facilities to obtain the STAR status. Its motto, ``Injury free every day,'' echoes the importance of safety throughout the plant. I commend Ellwood National Crankshaft for making safety a top priority. Everyone wins when there are fewer days missed due to injuries or illness. Congratulations on earning this prestigious certification and for placing such a high standard on the welfare of all the people employed at Ellwood National Crankshaft.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to highlight a program that helps low-income families lead healthier lives through education. SNAP-Ed works to help individuals who benefit from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, SNAP. It aims to help people make healthy choices within a limited budget and choose active lifestyles consistent with the current dietary guidelines for Americans. As chairman of the Agriculture Committee's Nutrition Subcommittee, we have been examining SNAP and how we can improve it in the next farm bill. SNAP-Ed is an important part of this, and the results show that it works. In my home State of Pennsylvania, 17 percent of people are living below the poverty line; 1.8 million Pennsylvanians are eligible for SNAP; 85 percent of Pennsylvania adults do not eat the recommended daily amounts of fruits and vegetables; and 14 percent of Pennsylvanians are food insecure, meaning they lack reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food. Mr. Speaker, SNAP-Ed helps low-income families stretch tight budgets and bring home healthy foods from the grocery store. It teaches low- income families how to prepare nutritious meals. SNAP-Ed is a $400 million program awarded through Federal grants to State agencies. SNAP-Ed has the flexibility to work in schools, grocery stores, parks, even public gyms. SNAP-Ed offers many different forms of direct education and takes community input into consideration when developing education programs. Another food education program authorized through the farm bill is the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. This program is an approximately $68 million initiative operated through the Cooperative Extension Service of land grant universities. It delivers direct education via peer educators in a series of interactive hands-on lessons to improve four core areas: diet quality and physical activity, food resource management, food safety, and food security. The Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program tends to be less flexible in how it delivers services than SNAP-Ed, but it has the capacity to reach more people than SNAP-Ed because it operates in more areas, both urban and rural, across this country. Mr. Speaker, both of these educational programs are helping low- income families lead healthier lives and make better choices when it comes to nutritious food. Through education we can help ensure that American families--especially children--learn about the importance of a balanced diet as part of a healthy lifestyle and the joy of preparing their own meals. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to strengthening these programs in the next farm bill so that we can continue to educate and serve American families.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition to honor The Food Trust on celebrating 25 years of helping improve food security in Pennsylvania. The Food Trust is a nonprofit founded in 1992 in Philadelphia that works to develop a stable food supply in underserved communities, educate youth and family about healthy eating, and improve the connection between urban communities and regional farmers. A number of Food Trust programs have become national models that have expanded beyond Philadelphia to other regions in need of healthy food access and nutrition education. The Food Trust provides nutrition education for youth and adults in Philadelphia and the wider region, serving more than 70,000 lower-income individuals. It also increases access to nutritious food in underserved communities by operating a network of 22 farmers markets in lower- income city neighborhoods, which accept SNAP benefits for the use of onsite wireless card readers. I commend The Food Trust for the fine work it does promoting food education and to ensure that no one goes hungry in America. Congratulations on 25 years.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank a very special member of my team, Andy Leung, who is an intern in my office. Andy comes to us through the Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. This is a unique program designed to give students with varying intellectual disabilities an opportunity to gain congressional work experience. It is part of George Mason University's LIFE Program. To date, 150 congressional offices from the House and Senate have participated in this wonderful program. Mr. Speaker, Andy is a part of our team, and we look forward to the hours he spends with us each week. He quickly settled into the office, and he is always in great spirits. Andy is hardworking and curious. He is interested in the projects the full-time staff are working on. He loves picking up the flags from the Capitol, and we are truly fortunate to have such a dedicated intern. I would like to thank Andy for his service and thank his employment assistant and the Congressional Internship Program for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities for making this possible.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this week, the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Nutrition hosted a hearing to examine USDA's three commodity distribution programs: the Emergency Food Assistance Program, the Commodity Supplemental Food program, and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations. Committee members heard from a panel of witnesses representing each of these programs who explained how the programs differ, interact, and work together to meet the nutrition needs of America's most vulnerable citizens. Mr. Speaker, as chairman of this subcommittee, I know Federal nutrition programs are vital to ensuring that all Americans have healthy foods within reach, whether low-income populations, the elderly, or those living in areas with strained access to nutritious foods. Along with SNAP, these programs support agriculture and lessen the effects of poverty on our most vulnerable citizens. As we begin to work on the next farm bill, we will continue to identify ways to work alongside State and local organizations to help provide safe, nutritious food for those who need it most. I thank our witnesses for sharing their time and their expertise to help strengthen these programs.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, recently, the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education hosted a hearing to discuss the state of career and technical education in America, as well as changes that can be made to strengthen CTE and better prepare students of all ages for the workforce. One of the biggest challenges facing career and technical education is the stigma associated with it. Through the years, we have seen wrongheaded claims that students involved in the trades lacked ambition. Those misplaced assumptions are slowly subsiding, but not soon enough. CTE has established itself as a path that many high-achieving students choose in pursuit of industry certification and hands-on skills that they can use right out of high school, in training programs, or in college. At this hearing, we heard from many knowledgeable witnesses, including Mike Rowe, the television host of the television show ``Dirty Jobs.'' Mike shared his experience as a young student who didn't know what career path he wanted to follow. So, he looked no further than his local community college. His eyes were open to hundreds of courses that he could afford to study. And Mike said: ``That experience opened doors I didn't even know existed. But that same experience is precisely what thousands of kids are discouraged from pursuing every year.'' Mr. Speaker, the reality is, a huge gap exists in communities nationwide. There are jobs out there, good family-sustaining jobs, but the unemployed or underemployed are either ill-prepared or lack the appropriate training to fill these vacancies. The answer to this problem starts with career and technical education. That is why last Congress I introduced Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act. This bill, which passed the House in the fall by a vote of 405-5, aimed to close the skills gap by modernizing the Federal investment in career and technical education programs and connecting educators with industry stakeholders--the job creators. I look forward to reintroducing similar legislation with my Career and Technical Education Caucus co-chair, Congressman Jim Langevin from Rhode Island, later this month. During the hearing, Mike Rowe described naysayers as viewing a job in the trades as a ``vocational consolation prize.'' Well, Mr. Speaker, nothing could be further from the truth. We must change this stigma, this bias, and help encourage American students to study a career that they are interested in and that they are passionate about. The list is endless with career and technical education, and the jobs are out there.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today is Brain Injury Awareness Day, and I welcome those who are in Washington today to share their stories. This is near and dear to my heart. I spent nearly 30 years in healthcare rehabilitation services, and this was one of my areas of practice and expertise. I served as a board member for the Brain Injury Association of Pennsylvania, and I helped form a brain injury support group for the patients and their families that I served. The theme for this year's campaign is ``Not Alone.'' This is a platform for educating the general public about the incidence of brain injury, and the needs of people with brain injuries and their families. The campaign also works to destigmatize the injury, empower those who have survived, and promote the many types of support that are available. The need to raise awareness is great: more than 3.5 million children and adults sustain an acquired brain injury each year, but the incidence is unknown. Mr. Speaker, everyone recovers at a different pace, but the support the patient receives can actually let them know that they are not alone in this fight.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, today marks the 44th anniversary of National Agriculture Day, which is celebrated in classrooms and communities across the country. This year's theme is ``Agriculture: Food for Life.'' Today marks a nationwide effort to tell the true story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. The National Ag Day program encourages every American to understand how food and fiber products are produced; appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant, and affordable products; value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy; and acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, and fiber industry. America's next wave of agriculture leaders are also in Washington today: members of the National FFA Organization, 4-H, Agriculture of America, and MANRRS. Their advocacy and leadership is critical to the future of agriculture. Mr. Speaker, our farmers feed and agriculture plays a critical role in modern society. I would like to thank all Americans who work in this essential industry. Happy Ag Day.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Spring Creek Trout Unlimited Chapter located in Pennsylvania's Fifth Congressional District for receiving the National 2016 Gold Trout Award as the Nation's most outstanding Trout Unlimited chapter. The Spring Creek Chapter's conservation and angler science activities this year are world class, with more than 1.5 miles of riparian habitat planted, 13 in-stream structures built, water quality monitoring, redd count and angler surveys totaling more than 4,500 hours. These volunteer efforts are valued at more than $210,000. Beyond this outstanding conservation activity, the chapter reaches into the community, hosting events and activities. The Veterans Service Partnership program serves hundreds of veterans, with the power of healing and a sense of community. Mr. Speaker, I look forward to joining the members of the Spring Creek Trout Unlimited Chapter this Saturday for the 44th annual dinner to celebrate the chapter's gold trout award. It is just 1 of 400 Trout Unlimited chapters across the country. This outstanding achievement shows the power, dedication, and teamwork from local Trout Unlimited members.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, last week, with Representative Suzan DelBene, I introduced the Timber Innovation Act to help find new and innovative uses for wood as a building material. Proudly, the Allegheny National Forest is a part of the Fifth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. Communities in my district depend on the revenue from high-value timbering and forest products that are generated by the forest as well as privately held lands throughout the Commonwealth. This bipartisan legislation encourages the advancement of tall wood building construction along with research and development. Mr. Speaker, since our earliest days, we have used wood as a building material. New technology will help expand and develop the use of wood in larger construction projects. Currently, most wood buildings do not exceed three to four stories in height, but we hope to change that. There is so much potential for mass timber, and this bill truly encourages new advancements of wood construction. This bill is good for both consumers and the industry, and I encourage my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill and advance the sustainable forest management and opportunities in our rural communities.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commend the efforts of Penn State Extension, which is an educational network that gives the people in Pennsylvania's 67 counties access to the university's resources and expertise, especially its agricultural resources as a land-grant university. Cooperative extension services began in 1914. The Smith-Lever Act established a system of cooperative extension services connected to the land-grant universities in order to inform people about the current developments in agriculture, home economics, public policy and government, leadership, 4-H, economic development, coastal issues, and many other related subjects. It helped farmers learn new agricultural techniques by the introduction of home instruction. Since its inception, it has been focused on informal, noncredit adult continuing education. Thus, cooperative extension is not a service, but a scholarly content-driven educational mission of the university. This program is funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, State, and county governments. Through these county-based partnerships, Penn State Extension educators, faculty, and local volunteers work together to share unbiased, research-based information with local residents. Penn State Extension can help you become a master gardener. It helps teach families how to prepare and preserve food safely. It can help you learn about how to start a home-based business or how to properly prepare tax forms. Penn State Extension helps individuals, families, businesses, and communities throughout Pennsylvania with information and a broad range of educational programs. Everyone in the community can tap into the assets and information of our major research university, and there are numerous ways to learn. You can attend an educational event, take an online course, read a publication, or speak face-to-face with an extension educator. There is no shortage of learning opportunities with Penn State Extension. Mr. Speaker, this is just one way that Penn State is extending knowledge and improving the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians. The programs are very localized and touch every county in the State through 21 separate districts. Extension is particularly helpful to farmers and those involved in the agriculture industry, which is Pennsylvania's number one economic driver. Whether you are a beginning farmer or you have a few years under your belt, it is good to know you are not in the farming world alone. Extension activities can help connect you with others to share ideas, trials, and tribulations. In fact, Federal cooperative extension programs have helped more than 137,000 farmers stay in business just since 1985. Without cooperative extension and the underlying research, researchers have estimated that the country would have lost 28 percent more farmers than those who actually left agriculture. Who would feed us? Who would provide that food, fiber, building materials, even forms of energy that our farmers and farm families do today? By design, extension is locally directed and responsive to the needs of local communities. I am grateful that Penn State is one of those land-grant universities and can offer this service to the public. It helps keep our local farmers abreast of the most up-to-date information that impacts the industry and impacts the lives of families. It helps promote lifelong learning and provides invaluable support and assistance to our communities. That is something for which we can all be very proud.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, a healthy diet for many Americans may have nothing to do with commitment, but, rather, accessibility. Limited access to supermarkets and grocery stores with fresh nutritional food can be a challenge in both rural and urban communities. These are often called food deserts. This is a particular concern for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which intends to provide nutrition to millions of Americans. According to the USDA, to qualify as a low-access community, at least 500 people and/or at least 33 percent of the population must reside more than 1 mile from a supermarket or large grocery store. For rural areas, the distance is more than 10 miles. It is difficult to eat healthy when the easiest store to get to primarily provides packaged and processed food. SNAP recipients may find a local market convenient, but it often offers high-calorie foods with minimal nutritional value. These foods can often be a staple for families with limited resources. It is my hope that we can increase access to fresh food for communities throughout the country. Our families deserve no less. I look forward to working with the Agriculture Nutrition Subcommittee to continue to look at the SNAP program so that it serves those it is intended to serve.

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania

Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, this year, the Trinity United Methodist Church in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, marks its 200th year as a house of worship. Founded in April of 1817, the church congregation began with just seven people. Schoolmaster and Methodist layman James McGee led the first meeting. Over the years, Trinity's congregation has steadily grown, and today it boasts 200 members. The current church was built in 1875, and in 1962, an educational building was added on. The church plays an important role in the Bellefonte community and it organizes several programs throughout the year, including a free community lunch, a New Year's Day dinner, free public concerts, and a toy drive before Christmas for children in need. Mr. Speaker, for the last 200 years, Trinity United Methodist Church has opened its doors for people to hear the Word of the Lord, but a church is much more than a building. It brings a love of God into the community and into the hearts of those who fill the seats each Sunday. God bless Trinity United Methodist Church on the momentous occasion of its bicentennial.