[Page H2998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1600
                    CELEBRATING NATIONAL DAIRY MONTH

  (Mr. FONG asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. FONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in celebration of National Dairy 
Month and to honor the hardworking dairy farmers of California, our 
Nation's leading dairy producer.
  In my district, which encompasses Tulare, Fresno, Kings, and Kern 
Counties, we are proud to be the epicenter of dairy production. Tulare 
County alone holds the title of the largest dairy-producing county in 
America. It is home to 500,000 dairy cows, 222 dairies, and some of the 
largest dairy-processing plants.
  Most of these dairies are family-owned enterprises. I myself 
personally know the effort it takes to operate these family businesses. 
I am proud of the legacy of my own family members who are in the dairy 
industry and who brought their farms to the Central Valley.
  Even our region's large-scale operations remain rooted in family 
traditions, reflecting the dedication and perseverance of our 
agricultural communities.
  Together, these dairies contribute one-fifth of our Nation's milk 
supply, producing everything from butter to ice cream, nourishing 
families and bringing joy to countless households across America.
  To our dairy farmers, I thank them for their tireless efforts to feed 
our Nation. Their work sustains us, and it is an honor to stand in 
their corner.

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