Very powerful statement, Tom.

the future of agriculture is not a Republican issue. It is not a matter of right versus left. It is really right versus wrong.

We believe that is good for all Minnesotans regardless of your political beliefs.

We need opportunity for everybody if they want to make their living on the land.

I have never seen an array of such complicated, interrelated, interwoven programs that you all have to contend with every day and every year of your life.

We believe that now is a historic opportunity for the Senate to pass a farm bill that is based on sensitive goals and realistic outcomes.

We need to have those kinds of environmental incentives.

I am going to gavel the hearing of the Senate Agriculture Committee officially to order.

We believe it is time to level the playing field here so that farm assistance is spread more equally among all farmers.

That is an excellent suggestion. We are going to try and put this together.

Thank you very much, Brian. I mean what I said. You and Amber can come out and testify, and you can show the members of the committee how to mix the stuff.

I am humbled by the fact that for 60 years, people smarter than I am, more experienced than I am from both the political parties and all political persuasions, have tried to get these programs right with good intentions.

We can do it. We are just going to have to fight like hell for it.

We are going to need a lot of you all. Before it is all over, I am hoping that around the country there are going to be a lot of huge gatherings in a lot of States putting pressure on all reps, all Senators, Democrats, Republicans, and…

I want to commend my good friend John Breaux for holding this hearing today in his new capacity as Chairman of this Subcommittee.

Senator Kerry and I introduced S. 948, the Community Rail Line Relocation Assistance Act of 2001.

I urge this Committee to use caution before considering calls by some to legislate additional requirements.

Several Senators, including me, cosponsored S. 250, the High-Speed Rail Investment Act of 2001.