As a fifth generation Floridian, I’ve always felt blessed to call Florida home, a place that people from all over the world dream of one day visiting or living. As Hurricane Irma made landfall in September, my gratitude for living in this great state only deepened. One after another, moving stories about Floridians selflessly, courageously and generously helping one another emerged in the face of adversity.

On July 4, 2017, 15,000 immigrants were sworn in as new American citizens -- something each and every one of them worked hard to attain. On that day, they earned the most sought-after citizenship in the world and swore they would support and defend our Constitution. And on that day, along with their citizenship, they were granted the right and the responsibility to vote.

On Tuesday, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, who is running for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, delivered remarks at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2017 Military, Defense and Veterans Opportunities Summit. Below are excerpts from his remarks:

Millions of Florida families will gather together today around a table to share a feast of Thanksgiving. Among the many blessings we have to be thankful for are the farmers who work tirelessly to provide our nations bounty.

The recently proposed acquisition of Smithfield Foods by a Chinese company not only marks the largest acquisition of a U.S. company in history, but also highlights a strategic move by the worlds second largest economy to ensure they have enough food to feed their growing population over the long term.

Over the last century, the landscape of the energy industry has changed dramatically.

According to some historians, the first feast of thanks took place in St. Augustine in 1565, more than 50 years before what most of us were taught was the first Thanksgiving.

All Floridians have been experiencing one of the most severe droughts in recent memory.