Well, I consider that to be a very positive development, and I want to thank you for your willingness to be so cooperative and supportive.

We have had several disruptions over the past 2 or 3 years, and we have been doing everything we can to address these issues as completely and effectively as we can.

Yes, thank you.

And, finally, to improve scientific technical support for the National Organic Standards Board, any comment?

Madam Secretary, in March 2003, I was able to assist a nonprofit in Milwaukee, the Hunger Task Force, in receiving approval from the USDA to carry out an innovative pilot program.

Everything we do here has a political aspect to it.

We should not shortchange or undercut this excellent program.

People in Wisconsin are really concerned about the loss of manufacturing jobs.

Senator Kohl, it was a pleasure to tour Bernston International with you last week in Madison.

the MEP program is Manufacturing Extension Partnerships, a program which helps small and medium-size manufacturing firms.

Policy is the most important thing we do.

Tell us why you have concluded that MEP does not deserve to be funded at its previous level.

MEP is one of the best Government investments around and it should be fully supported at the State and at the Federal level.

I know is supportive of MEP.

to say it is fully funded is not accurate.

If the United Nations were to disintegrate, perhaps the biggest loser would be the United States.

I don't think there's any disagreement in any quarter that the United Nations is a vitally important institution.

I'm somewhat disappointed, as I have been for a period of time now, that the administration, Secretary Rumsfeld, others in positions of authority and power, do not respond to the expressions of concern...