Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the National Grain and Feed Association and recognizing the Association and its members for transforming the bounty of United States farmers into safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable human and animal food.

Celebrating the 125th anniversary of the National Grain and Feed Association and recognizing the Association and its members for transforming the bounty of United States farmers into safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable human and animal food.

Whereas, on November 9, 1896, a group of 38 grain dealers gathered in Chicago, Illinois, to found the Grain Dealers National Association, which in 1970, became the National Grain and Feed Association, to pursue “the advancement . . . of the common interests of those regularly engaged in the grain business”;

Whereas the origin of the National Grain and Feed Association is rooted in 5 pressing needs faced by the grain and feed industry at the turn of the 19th century, including the need—

(1) to establish a uniform system of grain inspection and grading;

(2) to construct a procedure for settling trade disputes;

(3) to improve rail grain transportation service;

(4) to develop fair rules to govern the trading of grain and feedstuffs; and

(5) to elevate the business practices of the industry;

Whereas, in 1901, the National Grain and Feed Association formally established an arbitration system, which is believed to be the oldest industry-based arbitration system in North America, to provide a cost-effective and timely mechanism to resolve disputes involving grain, feed, and barge transactions;

Whereas, with 27 regional and State affiliated associations, the National Grain and Feed Association consists of more than 1,000 grain, feed, processing, exporting, and other grain-related companies that operate approximately 8,000 facilities and handle the majority of all grains and oilseeds in the United States;

Whereas the mission of the National Grain and Feed Association is to “advocate a global open market environment to efficiently produce and provide a safe, abundant, affordable, sustainable and wholesome supply of grain, oilseeds, feed and related products responsive to market demand”;

Whereas the National Grain and Feed Association fulfills its mission through representation, employee safety and feed quality training, communication, development of future leaders, facilitation of the exchange of ideas, and education to members, government, and the public; and

Whereas the National Grain and Feed Association has advocated for the interests of individuals in the grain, feed, and processing industry with respect to the crafting, consideration, and enactment of major legislation impacting the quality, standards, safety, and transportation of grains, oilseeds, and feed in the United States: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved,