[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 93 (Wednesday, June 26, 2013)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E976] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] PERSONAL EXPLANATION ______ HON. HENRY C. ``HANK'' JOHNSON, JR. of georgia in the house of representatives Wednesday, June 26, 2013 Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, on Thursday June 20, 2013, during a rapid succession of two-minute votes, I mistakenly voted `aye' for rollcall No. 281. This amendment seeks to dismantle the U.S. sugar program, which has operated successfully for decades at no cost to taxpayers, and provides a stable supply of sugar for Americans at affordable prices. Doing away with the U.S. sugar program would cost thousands of jobs, destabilize the U.S. sugar supply, and would not result in a discernible change in the price of sugar for Americans. The price of sugar continues to drop, and is currently at its lowest level in a decades. Passage of this amendment does nothing to decrease the price of sugar, and will only assist companies to offshore jobs, cut labor and health care costs, and leave American farmers penniless. Supporters of this amendment complain about high prices for sugar. Yet restaurants give sugar away and that one can buy a five-pound bag of sugar for almost nothing. This amendment will do nothing to create a free market for sugar and will only subject the U.S. to distorted world sugar markets that will cost farmers their livelihoods and American jobs. ____________________