. >> i think the most important north dakotan in is diversifying the economy to deal with lower ender gain agricultural prices. one oflly, education is the biggest issues we're dealing our and really working with students on social problems. whatever it may be. but we are just fining out we really just don't v the support most pressing issues public upping now whether it is for intrastructure problems or public employees such as funds.s and retirement >> noise from the states. >> betsy devos appear before the subcommittee and faced questions about the budget request proposed cuts and programso certain particularly the pell grant and federal work study. runs 1:15.g > appropriations subcommittee on labor, health and human

on behalf of all north dakotans i coon fwradge late them and congratulate them for the high bar they deliver in serving the citizens of cass county. i yield back. the speaker pro tempore: for what purpose does -i for what purpose does the gentleman from nevada seek recognition? without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. >> thank you, mr. speaker, i remember to rise the life of tara rose smith. concert in las vegas and was a loving wife to her husband zach. she was a hard worker and worked as an educational assistant with children with autism and about to be promoted to be a manager. tara was very active in swimming . going to the route 91 festival was an annual tradition, they would be every year to celebrate their anniversary. she was dedicated her community. her husband said she would have done everything. she was a very caring spirit who eeted everyone with a. i would like to extend my condolences the city of las vegas and the state of nevada and the whole united states grieves with you. -i for what purpose does gentleman seek recognition? >> i rise today to sp

of those 54,000 north dakotans, 43% are children, 28% are seniors, and about 4% are veterans. families can find themselves needing this assistance for a number of reasons. first, their hours were reduced at work. they may have been laid off or their places of employment may have gone out of business. an individual may not able to work due to a disability or serious illness. additionally, nearly 9% of seniors live below the poverty level. snap helps those seniors with those needs, many of whom live on fixed intersection. not one of us can predict when an unexpected life event will happen to us, and thankfully snap is available to provide at-risk families with the safety net they need. very few people, other than those with disabilities, the eltderly, or others who cannot work stay on snap for more than three months in a 36 month period. half of those new to the snap program will leave it within nine months once they become financially stable. yesterday i stood here to talk about the critical bipartisan work of the chairman an ranking member on the senate ag committee and what t