Gary Condit: “this culminates over a decade of work by many Members of Congress, and without their leadership this would not be…”

“this culminates over a decade of work by many Members of Congress, and without their leadership this would not be happening today. I want to single out a few people: the gentleman from Kansas, Chairman Roberts, the gentleman from Virginia, Chairman Bliley, the gentleman from Texas, Mr. de la Garza, the gentleman from Michigan, Mr. Dingell, the gentleman from California, Mr. Waxman, and the gentleman from Florida, Mr. Bilirakis. Without their hard work, we could not have accomplished what we are accomplishing here today. I strongly believe that the resulting legislation represents the best approach for needed reform in food safety. This action sends a strong message that many Members of Congress are serious about this essential reform and we must not miss this opportunity to move forward. The Delaney Clause, while well-intended 34 years ago, has become a problem that must be replaced by sound science and negligible risk. H.R. 1627 will finally replace the inconsistent standard that now governs pesticide residue with a single modern standard applied uniformly to pesticide residue in all foods. We cannot tell farmers that a minimum level of certain pesticide residue is safe on fresh market produce but not safe enough on such products sent to be processed. This is an historical day. A lot of people have worked very hard, and I am delighted and honored to be a part of this solution.”