
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 2, 2001]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 2, 2001 and January 28, 2002]
[CITE: 7USC5678]

 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
                      CHAPTER 87--EXPORT PROMOTION
 
                    SUBCHAPTER IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
                    Part B--Miscellaneous Provisions
 
Sec. 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) recognizing achievements of those who have exhibited or 
        supported entrepreneurial efforts to expand and create new 
        markets for United States agricultural exports or increase the 
        volume or value of United States agricultural exports; and
            (C) disseminating information on successful methods used to 
        develop and expand markets for United States agricultural 
        exports.

(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:
        (1) Development of new products or services for agricultural 
    export markets.
        (2) Development of new agricultural export markets.
        (3) Creative marketing of products or services in agricultural 
    export markets.

(g) Criteria for qualification

    An entity may qualify for an award under this section only if the 
entity--
        (1)(A) applies to the board established under subsection (h) of 
    this section in writing for the award; or
        (B) is recommended for the award by a Governor of a State;
        (2)(A) has exhibited significant entrepreneurial effort to 
    create new markets for United States agricultural exports or 
    increase United States agricultural exports; or
        (B) has provided significant assistance to others in an effort 
    to create new markets for United States agricultural exports or 
    increase United States agricultural exports;
        (3) has not received another award in the same category under 
    subsection (f) of this section during the preceding 5-year period; 
    and
        (4) meets such other requirements and specifications as the 
    Secretary determines are appropriate to achieve the objectives of 
    this section.

(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.

                    (3) Recommendations of board

        The board shall report its recommendations concerning the making 
    of the award to the Secretary.

                              (4) Term

        Each member of the board may serve a term of not to exceed 3 
    years.

(i) Funding

    The Secretary may seek and accept gifts from public and private 
sources to carry out this section.

(Pub. L. 104-127, title II, Sec. 261, Apr. 4, 1996, 110 Stat. 972.)

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of the Federal Agriculture Improvement 
and Reform Act of 1996, and not as part of the Agricultural Trade Act of 
1978 which comprises this chapter.
