National Dairy Month

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, although we have recently entered into July, I rise today in recognition of National Dairy Month, which has taken place every June since 1937.

As I travel across Pennsylvania and throughout the Pennsylvania Fifth Congressional District, I am always inspired by our farmers and our farm families. They work hard. They work 7 days a week. Their work is arduous, and the challenges of running a farm are never ending.

Mr. Speaker, farming isn't just a business to these hardworking folks; it is the fabric of rural America. The Commonwealth's history is rooted in agriculture, and the dairy industry continues to be the largest sector of this industry.

Most, about 99 percent of our dairy farms in Pennsylvania, are family-owned and operated, and our average herd size is about 72 head.

The Commonwealth's robust dairy industry produces 10 billion pounds of milk annually, and that number continues to surge. In fact, Pennsylvania ranks fifth in the Nation when it comes to dairy production.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of National Dairy Month, in support of our dairy farmers and farm families, and to also say thank you to all of these folks for providing us with food and fiber.

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