A concurrent resolution congratulating the outstanding professional public servants, both past and present, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 62, which recognizes the 75 years of service of the National Resources Conservation Service, the NRCS. Created by Congress in 1935, the Soil Conservation Service, now known as the NRCS, has worked hand-in-hand with local governments, organizations, farmers, ranchers, and other landowners to preserve and protect our Nation's natural resources on private lands.

Farmers were conserving long before it became a celebrated trend to ``go green''. They have always had a vested interest in preserving the land that provides for them. Partnering with the NRCS, our producers are provided the scientific and technical assistance to implement the most advanced conservation practices in the world.

Through the NRCS's assistance and implementation of conservation programs, producers have voluntarily worked to help reduce soil erosion, increase wetlands, and improve water and air quality, meeting mounting government regulations and preserving farmland and wildlife habitat. The environmental gains produced on these private lands provide benefits far beyond the farm.

The benefits of the NRCS's assistance are evident in my home State of Oklahoma. The conservation practices implemented by the producers have reduced the removal of topsoil and prevented a recurrence of the disastrous conditions of the 1930s Dust Bowl from ever happening again. NRCS also works to protect the safety of our rural communities by rehabilitating old dams and working to implement flood prevention programs.

I would like to thank Chairman Peterson for his leadership in introducing a similar resolution I have cosponsored. I would also like to thank my colleagues on the Ag Committee who have helped to craft the greenest farm bills in recent history. But most importantly, I want to thank and congratulate the men and women of the Natural Resources Conservation Service for their work in the field over the years, providing our producers with the assistance to protect our natural resources.

And let me just say once again: representing a part of the great State of Oklahoma that faced the greatest challenges of both the economic depression of the 1930s and the Dust Bowl, those good folks at what at that time was the Soil Conservation Service, working with what we would now consider to be very primitive equipment, working to educate and encourage producers to adopt practices that would ultimately make such a tremendous difference they have--what can you say? Whether it's the NRCS or the old Soil Conservation Service, the same great people for 75 years taking care of our natural resources. Thank you.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 62) congratulating the outstanding professional public servants, both past and present, of the Natural Resources Conservation Service on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on S. Con. Res. 62.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. Con. Res. 62, congratulating the outstanding professional public servants, both past and present, of the United States Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service on the occasion of its 75th anniversary.

I am proud to say that Members on both sides of the aisle support this resolution. I join Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson, Ranking Member Frank Lucas, and many of my colleagues on the Agriculture Committee in cosponsoring the House version of this resolution, which recognizes an important Federal agency that has helped our farmers and ranchers practice smart conservation on private land since its inception in 1935.

Established by Congress in response to the Dust Bowl disaster that devastated vast stretches of our land, the agency was originally known as the Soil Conservation Service. In 1994, the agency's name changed to the Natural Resources Conservation Service to more accurately reflect its role in protecting all natural resources, not only soil, but also air, water, plants, and animals.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to landowners at local levels, thus recognizing the diversity of the land in this country and the unique concerns in each region. In fact, you will find NRCS field offices in nearly every county in the Nation. NRCS helps local communities carry out thousands of conservation projects, which often translate into opportunities for job creation and increased investment in local communities.

Mr. Speaker, the United States depends as much today on productive soils and an abundant, high-quality water supply as we did 75 years ago. In fact, given the agricultural and environmental challenges we face, these programs are more important than ever. With this resolution we salute the NRCS professionals, both past and present, who have worked alongside America's local farmers and ranchers for 75 years to help preserve our essential natural resources.

I urge my colleagues to support this resolution and to join me in recognizing the great work of the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time, Mr. Speaker, and urge the passage of the resolution.

Mr. President, today the Senate is considering a resolution recognizing the 75th Anniversary of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, known as NRCS.

Congress established the Soil Conservation Service, the predecessor to NRCS, in April of 1935. Since that time, the agency has aided landowners in implementing conservation measures to protect and enhance our Nation's natural resources. Meanwhile, American farmers and ranchers have become the most productive of any on Earth--ensuring a safe, diverse, and nutritious food supply for their fellow citizens and many of the world's citizens.

Today, NRCS administers more than 20 conservation programs that provide technical and financial assistance to landowners. These programs improve soil and water quality, increase energy efficiency, enhance agricultural practices, and retire marginal lands to create and protect wildlife habitat. NRCS has directly contributed to the protection or establishment of 160 million acres of wildlife habitat and to the preservation, restoration, or enhancement of 9 million acres of wetlands.

We have seen real progress over the past 75 years, but I would argue private lands conservation is more important in 2010 than ever before, as we confront challenges such as climate change and loss of open space, and explore opportunities for creating wealth in rural communities through renewable energy production and water quality and carbon credit trading.

Properly managed working lands generate environmental benefits we all enjoy, such as clean air, water made clean by filtering through forests and fields, high-quality soils that capture carbon and make life possible, and wildlife habitat that promotes biodiversity and offers recreational opportunities such as fishing and hunting. With 70 percent of U.S. lands in private hands, the continuation of successful farm bill conservation programs--along with other technical assistance efforts--should be of interest to all of us.

NRCS programs provide important public benefits while working with landowners on a voluntary basis. This unique approach is aided by the agency's presence in every county of every State. Agency employees in every office work toward the common goal of conserving natural resources for the benefit of the landowner and all Americans.

I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution recognizing the NRCS's 75 years of service.

Mr. President, I now ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. Con. Res. 62, submitted earlier today.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the concurrent resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to the measure be printed in the Record.