§ 5678. Edward R. Madigan United States Agricultural Export Excellence Award
(a)
Findings
Congress finds that—
(1)
United States producers of agricultural products are some of the most productive and efficient producers of agricultural products in the world;
(2)
continued growth and expansion of markets for United States agricultural exports is crucial to the continued development and economic well-being of rural areas of the United States and the agricultural sector of the United States economy;
(3)
in recent years, United States agricultural exports have steadily increased, surpassing $54,000,000,000 in value in 1995;
(4)
as United States agricultural producers move toward a market-oriented system in which planting and other decisions by producers are driven by national and international market signals, developing new and expanding agricultural export markets is vital to maintaining a vibrant and healthy agricultural sector and rural economy; and
(5)
a United States agricultural export excellence award will increase United States agricultural exports by—
(A)
identifying efforts of United States entities to develop and expand markets for United States agricultural exports through the development of new products and services and through the use of innovative marketing techniques;
(b)
Establishment
There is established the Edward R. Madigan United States Agricultural Export Excellence Award, which shall be evidenced by a medal bearing the inscription “Edward R. Madigan United States Agricultural Export Excellence Award”. The medal shall be of such design and materials and bear such additional inscriptions as the Secretary of Agriculture (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) may prescribe.
(c)
Selection of recipient
The President or the Secretary (on the basis of recommendations received from the board established under subsection (h) of this section) shall periodically provide the award to companies and other entities that in the judgment of the President or the Secretary substantially encourage entrepreneurial efforts in the food and agriculture sector for advancing United States agricultural exports.
(d)
Presentation of award
The presentation of the award shall be made by the President or the Secretary with such ceremonies as the President or the Secretary considers proper.
(e)
Publication of award
An entity to which an award is made under this section may publicize the receipt of the award by the entity and use the award in advertising of the entity.
(f)
Categories for which award may be given
Separate awards shall be made to qualifying entities in each of the following categories:
(g)
Criteria for qualification
An entity may qualify for an award under this section only if the entity—
(1)
(2)
(h)
Board
(1)
Selection
The Secretary shall appoint a board of evaluators, consisting of at least 5 individuals from the private sector selected for their knowledge and experience in exporting United States agricultural products.
(2)
Meetings
The board shall meet at least once annually to review and evaluate all applicants and entities recommended by States under subsection (g)(1) of this section.
(i)
Funding
The Secretary may seek and accept gifts from public and private sources to carry out this section.