Bishop Statement Following Mueller Testimony
WASHINGTON – Following the televised testimony of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller before the Judiciary & Intelligence House Committees, Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01) issued the following statement:
“The book was better than the movie.”
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USDA Scientists, Engineers, Grantees Honored at White House with PECASE Awards
Government recognizes researchers displaying “exceptional promise”
Contact:
Damon Thompson
WASHINGTON, July 25, 2019 – Seven USDA scientists and engineers, and grantees were honored at the White House today as recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The PECASE is the highest honor bestowed by the United States government to outstanding scientists and engineers who are beginning their research careers and who show exceptional promise for leadership in science and technology.
“The innovative work by USDA scientists, engineers and grantees is helping to produce an agricultural renaissance in this country,” said Scott Hutchins, Deputy Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research, Education, and Economics mission area. “These awardees represent the true spirit of scientific innovation, and they help ensure a bright future for agricultural research and our nation.”
“We’re very proud of Sean Parks and David Bell, whose work has advanced our understanding of rapidly changing forest ecosystems and the long-term benefits of wildland fire,” said USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen. “This research helps us better manage both forests and wildfires.”
The USDA-related awardees were as follows:
Allen is a microbiologist and an international expert on antibiotic resistance gene ecology and swine gut microbial communities. Her work has significantly contributed to our scientific understanding of the effects of agricultural practices on foodborne pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in food-producing animals. She discovered that swine gut microbiota harbor diverse antibiotic resistance genes regardless of the antibiotic treatment administered. Her studies also have defined the effects of antibiotics on the swine gut microbiome in ways that can be applied to humans as well as other hosts.
Crouch is a molecular biologist whose work has been key to understanding the global diversity of fungal pathogens that cripple horticultural plants, turfgrass and cereal crops. She has developed molecular markers, diagnostic assays, genome tools and taxonomic resources that are used to combat downy mildews, boxwood blight, dollar spot and other plant diseases threatening crops across the United States and worldwide.
Lupton, who is a research chemist, is internationally recognized for her research about the fate of chemical contaminants in cattle, swine and poultry as well as their byproducts, waste systems, and feed sources. Her contributions have informed decision-making by regulatory agencies and promoted consumer confidence in the food supply and domestic milk and meat production practices.
Bell is a research forester whose work focuses on understanding the drivers of recent rapid changes in forest ecosystems across the United States. He links field data on plant growth and mortality to remote data that capture large-scale shifts in vegetation patterns to develop robust predictions of forest change and vulnerability. His work is providing critical insights on the interacting drivers of forest change and is essential for planners and decision-makers managing forest resources for an uncertain future.
Parks is a research ecologist who primarily focuses on wildland fire. His research has substantially expanded our scientific understanding of how previously burned areas influence the ignition and spread of subsequent wildland fires and how climate influences fire regimes. His findings have helped land management agencies better appreciate the longer-term benefits of wildland fire, as opposed to the short-term costs, and has provided insight into how forest vegetation and fire regimes may respond to climate change. Much of Parks’ research is conducted in designated wilderness, which provides an excellent natural laboratory.
Dr. O’Rourke is an Assistant Professor of Sustainable Food Systems who examines the value of biodiversity in agriculture and the environmental impacts of different food systems. Her research topics include links between agriculture and climate variation, ecological pest management, genetically modified crops, the emerging local food movement, and agricultural policy impacts.
Dr. Kao-Kniffin is an Assistant Professor of Horticulture whose research has focused on how soil microorganisms interact with soil root zones in improving plant productivity. Her project aims to identify and characterize microbial communities and crop genes that function coordinately to enhance nitrogen use efficiency, improve soil health, and increase crop production.
The PECASE award embodies the high priority placed by the government on maintaining the leadership position of the United States in science by producing outstanding scientists and engineers and nurturing their continued developmENT.
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Chairman Graham and Judiciary Committee Republicans Introduce Resolution Honoring Men and Women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection
WASHINGTON – This week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) and the Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a Senate resolution commending the men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their honorable service.
The resolution:
The resolution was introduced by Chairman Graham and cosponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), Josh Hawley (R-Missouri), Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee).
“I’m proud to introduce this resolution. To the Border Patrol agents, you’re doing an incredible job,” said Graham. “This system is broken. It’s not a crisis, it’s a disaster. Congress has a duty to act.”
“The officers and staff at Customs and Border Protection are working under crisis conditions with complex problems. We can’t take them or their work for granted, especially at this moment,” Grassley said. “I thank each of them for serving the American people. And we in Congress ought to be doing everything we can to support them.”
“The men and women who apprehend and care for these migrants have been unfairly criticized and mischaracterized as bad guys," said Cornyn. “In fact, they are the heroes. The agents in the Rio Grande Valley and those along the entire border are pulling double duty as law enforcement officers and caregivers. But these dedicated agents handle these demands with professionalism and compassion.”
“We are a nation of laws. And those laws are often difficult to enforce. But the brave men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection do their best to enforce those laws and keep our country safe every day,” Lee said. “I am proud to cosponsor this resolution honoring the law enforcement officers who put their lives on the line enforcing our nation’s laws at the border.”
“The men and women of our Border Patrol are patriots who love their country and have made selfless sacrifices to protect and defend our border to ensure the utmost safety of Texans and Americans across the country,” Cruz said. “I am grateful for the work our Border Patrol agents do to protect our country, and I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution to recognize the bravery of the men and women in green.”
“Border security is national security and the hard-working men and women of our Border Patrol are on the front lines,” said Sasse. “These officers are working to stop human traffickers and drug smugglers and, like a whole lot of Nebraskans, I’m grateful for their bravery and integrity.”
“The men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection go above and beyond to protect us,” said Hawley. “During my recent trip to the border, I saw first-hand how CBP agents continue to defend the border despite vicious attacks from congressional Democrats. These brave public servants deserve more than our thanks -- they deserve concrete action from Congress to fix our broken immigration system.”
“When I visited the southern border earlier this week I saw the dedication and professionalism the men and women of CBP first-hand,said Tillis. “It’s evident that in midst of the current humanitarian and security crisis at the border, the rank and file professionals of CBP are being overworked and underappreciated. I’m proud to co-introduce this resolution honoring these men and women and thank them for their service to our country.”
“Having just returned from the southern border this past weekend, I saw firsthand that the humanitarian crisis there is very real—and on the ground are the dedicated, compassionate, and good-hearted men and women of Customs and Border Protection,” said Ernst.“These border agents, some of whom I met were taking dollars out of their own pockets to pay for food and other hygiene products for migrants, have an extremely difficult job and I’m grateful for their willingness to serve our great nation in this way. We need to make sure they have the support they need to address this humanitarian crisis and to keep our nation safe.”
“The women and men of Customs and Border Protection work around the clock to ensure America’s borders are kept safe,” said Crapo.“We are currently experiencing a crisis at our southern border and their commitment to our national security remains steadfast in the face of difficult circumstances. I commend CBP officers and personnel for their dedicated service every day.”
“Our Border Patrol agents dedicate their lives each and every day to secure our borders and protect the American people,” said Kennedy.“I am so grateful for their work and the sacrifices that they make to keep our country safe. I am proud to cosponsor this resolution to honor the men and women of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.”
“Our CBP officers have answered a call of duty far greater than the one they signed up for,” Blackburn said. “Instead of defending our nation’s sovereignty, they are being asked to provide medical attention for which they have not been trained and care for children who have been taken advantage of by those who wish to do them harm. To our CBP officers: know that Americans across this country support you and thank you for the extraordinary sacrifice you are giving to this country.”
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MONTHLY CHICKENS AND EGGS – JUNE 1, 2019
COLORADO
Colorado egg production during June 2019 was 117.7 million eggs, down 8 percent from May 2019 and down 7 percent from June 2018 production, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of layers on hand in June 2019 was 4.7 million, down 6 percent from May 2019, and also down 5 percent from last year. Eggs per 100 layers were 2,487 eggs, down 2 percent from last year.
UTAH
Utah egg production during June 2019 was 118.9 million eggs, down 4 percent over May 2019, but up 12 percent from June 2018 production, according to the Mountain Regional Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The average number of layers on hand during June 2019 was 4.7 million, down 4 percent from May 2019, but up 2 percent over last year. Eggs per 100 layers were 2,538 eggs, up 7 percent from last year.
UNITED STATES
United States egg production totaled 9.16 billion during June 2019, up 2 percent from last year. Production included 7.99 billion table eggs, and 1.17 billion hatching eggs, of which 1.09 billion were broiler-type and 85.8 million were eggtype. The average number of layers during June 2019 totaled 392 million, up slightly from last year. June egg production per 100 layers was 2,334 eggs, up 2 percent from June 2018.
All layers in the United States on July 1, 2019 totaled 390 million, down slightly from last year. The 390 million layers consisted of 327 million layers producing table or market type eggs, 59.3 million layers producing broiler-type hatching eggs, and 3.40 million layers producing egg-type hatching eggs. Rate of lay per day on July 1, 2019, averaged 77.7 eggs per 100 layers, up 2 percent from July 1, 2018.
Egg-type chicks hatched during June 2019 totaled 51.9 million, down 2 percent from June 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 47.6 million on July 1, 2019, up 3 percent from a year ago.
Domestic placements of egg-type pullet chicks for future hatchery supply flocks by leading breeders totaled 242 thousand during June 2019, up 36 percent from June 2018.
Broiler-type chicks hatched during June 2019 totaled 832 million, up 1 percent from June 2018. Eggs in incubators totaled 692 million on July 1, 2019, up slightly from a year ago.
Leading breeders placed 8.72 million broiler-type pullet chicks for future domestic hatchery supply flocks during June 2019, up 5 percent from June 2018.
For a full copy of the Chicken and Eggs report please visit www.nass.usda.gov. For state specific questions please contact:
Colorado – William R. Meyer 1-800-392-3202 Utah – John Hilton 1-800-747-8522
