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June is National Dairy Month

Floor Speech

Date: June 23, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Agriculture and Food

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Mr. Speaker, many of my colleagues on the House floor today may not know that June is National Dairy Month. As a dairy farmer myself, I believe this month is a perfect opportunity to recognize how important the dairy industry is to the Central Valley.

Not only are there dairy farms in all 50 States, but dairy is the number one agriculture business in 10 States, including Idaho, New York, and Wisconsin. However, my home State of California is the biggest dairy producer in the country and is responsible for 21.3 percent of the U.S. milk supply. My own district, California 21, produces the most dairy of any congressional district in the Nation.

However, dairy isn't just important to farmers. Not only do Americans consume at least two cups of dairy products each and every day, but America's dairy industry is important to our Nation's agriculture market and our entire economy.

Dairy farms across the country improve our national economy. The U.S. dairy industry creates an estimated $140 billion in economic output, $29 billion in household earnings, and is responsible for creating more than 900,000 jobs.

So this summer when you stop for ice cream on a hot night or a bowl of cereal on a rushed morning, remember the hard-working Americans who brought dairy to your grocery store.

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