From 20092017 making the longestserving member of president obamas cabinet. In those Years Secretary Vilsack sought to put americans back to work by investing in rural infrastructure, renewable energy and largescale conservation partnerships. Under his leadership he had healthier food choices in school meals to benefit 15 million children and expanded free and reduced price lunches for millions of kids. Prior to his Appointment Or Nomination and confirmation i should say Secretary Vilsack served two terms as the governor of iowa and the island states that and as the mayor of mount pleasant iowa. With that i will turn over to the secretary who will take a few questions once he completes his remarks. Thanks very much. Its a pleasure to be here today with all of you. Im here primarily to talk about Food And Nutrition security and you may think that is just about Food And Nutrition security but, in fact, its about a lot more than that. When you understand 25 of Americas Workforce is direct
We have another special guest joining us today, secretary of agriculture tom vilsack. As you all know, this is his second term as apartment of agriculture which he led in the obamabiden administration from 2009 through 2017, making him the Longestserving Number of president obamas cabinet. In those years, sec. Vilsack sought to put americans back to work by investing in infrastructure, renewable Energy And Conservation partnerships. The ust introduced healthier food choices and school meals to benefit 50 million children and expanded free and reduced price lunches for millions of kids. Prior to his Appointment Or Nomination and confirmation, sec. Vilsack served two terms as the governor of iowa, in the eye with state senate, and as the mayor of now pleasant, i will. I will turn it over to the secretary who will take a few questions once he makes his remarks. Thanks very much, and certainly a pleasure to be here today with all of you. Im here primarily to talk about Food And Nutrition s
Called to order. Members will be recognized in order seniority as members not present at the time the hearing called to order will then be recognized. Finally, the house requirement remiedged you that we have set up email address to which to sending anything they wish to submit in writing at any of our hearings or markups. That he mail address has been provided in advance to your staff. Make sure your video is turned on at this time. Well, good morning and welcome to todays hearing. This morning we are honored to have secretary tom vilsack to discuss his vision for usda during has second tour at the department. Thank you for answering President Biden call to return to service after having been the longest serving member of president obamas cabinet. You are the first cabinet secretary to testify before the House Appropriations committee this year. And we really appreciate your taking time to be with us today even while youre still settling in and working on your long to do list. We look
May mute the my microphone for purpose of eliminating inadvertent background noise members are responsible for muting an unmuting themselves. If i notice that youve not unmuted yourself i will ask you if you would like the staff to unmute you. If you indicate by approval by nodding, then staff will unmute your microphone. I remind all members witnesses that the five minute clock still applies. If theres a technology issue, we will move to the next member until the issue is resolved and you will retain the balance of your time. You will notice a clock on the screen that will show how much time is remaining. At one minute remaning the clock will turn yellow. At 30 seconds remaining gavel to remind members that the tile is almost expired. When your time has expired the clock will turn red and i will begin to recognize the next member. In terms of speaking order, we will follow the order set forth in the house rules. Beginning with the chair and Ranking Member, then alternating between maj
Beat and what theyre up to might surprise you. Were here as i mentioned at lake will gori which is a Salt Water Lake in kenya as part of the east african rift valley scientists however warning that an ecological catastrophe is imminent if the water levels here continue to rise as we speak the lakes in this area at the highest level since kenyas independence in 1063 the water levels have been rising here for years but extreme weather patterns and usually heavy rains and human activities have made the situation even more dire for the People Living here so i spent some time in the area and spoke to residents who explained how their lives have been affected by these climates anomalies. Lake bulgaria so swollen from rising water levels at the shoreline changes every day. We see this early on in our trip when the access road unexpectedly becomes part of the league. Here by the find. Has just arrived to open her bond restaurant but hes been a dramatic change. Is what this water just came in w