[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 59 (Thursday, March 26, 2020)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 16999-17000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06477]
Presidential Documents
Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 59 / Thursday, March 26, 2020 /
Presidential Documents
[[Page 16999]]
Proclamation 9998 of March 23, 2020
National Agriculture Day, 2020
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Since our Nation's earliest days, farming communities
have been a bedrock of our society. In a letter to
George Washington, Thomas Jefferson famously stated
that agriculture ``is our wisest pursuit, because it
will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good
morals, and happiness.'' As our Nation continues to
face the unique challenges posed by the coronavirus
pandemic, we pay tribute to the unbeatable strength of
America's agricultural producers as they once again
answer the call to feed our country and the world. On
this National Agriculture Day, and now more than ever,
we salute and honor the men and women who contribute
daily to our national prosperity.
United States agricultural food and fiber production
has increased significantly over the past century,
while the amount of resources used to produce those
goods has largely stayed the same. This incredible
productivity is due to innovations that have propelled
the American model of agriculture to the top of the
world stage, allowing Americans to spend less of their
paychecks on food. Americans feed their families with
the safest, healthiest, and most affordable food in the
world. Thanks to the efficiency of our farmers and
ranchers, our rural communities are stronger and more
resilient.
Since taking office, I have worked tirelessly to
deliver on my promise to negotiate better trade deals
for our country, directly benefitting agricultural
communities. After decades of one-sided trade
agreements that left the great men and women of our
country behind, my Administration has secured fairer
and more reciprocal deals that ensure American workers
are put first. Our farmers, whose grit and hard work
help feed, fuel, and clothe millions around the world,
are key beneficiaries of these historic trade
agreements. In 2019, I delivered the United States-
Japan Trade Agreement, which is already providing our
farmers, ranchers, and agribusinesses with new market
access to 127 million Japanese consumers. In January, I
ended the outdated and unbalanced North American Free
Trade Agreement by signing into law the United States-
Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), creating incredible
opportunities for American farmers and ranchers. The
USMCA empowers American businesses in our vital
agricultural sector with greater freedom to sell their
goods throughout North America. Thanks to this better
deal, American agriculture exports are expected to
increase by $2.2 billion. I also signed a new, fully
enforceable trade agreement with China, which will help
start to rebalance our vital trade partnership. As part
of this deal, China has pledged to increase imports of
American goods and services over the next 2 years by at
least $200 billion, including purchasing more than $80
billion in American agricultural goods.
Across our country, farming families and communities
demonstrate the timeless American values of hard work,
perseverance, and stewardship of the land. Just as they
have for centuries, our farmers provide the foundation
of a national economic supply chain that is critical to
our national security and prosperity. Today and every
day, we express our gratitude to these individuals and
remember the central place of agriculture in our
national identity and American way of life.
[[Page 17000]]
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim March 24, 2020, as
National Agriculture Day. I encourage all Americans to
observe this day by recognizing the preeminent role
that agriculture plays in our daily lives,
acknowledging agriculture's continuing importance to
rural America and our country's economy, and expressing
our deep appreciation of farmers, growers, ranchers,
producers, national forest system stewards, private
agricultural stewards, and those who work in the
agriculture sector across the Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-third day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand twenty, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and forty-fourth.
(Presidential Sig.)
[FR Doc. 2020-06477
Filed 3-25-20; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F0-P