Bobby Rush: “We are willing to provide much-needed direction, much-needed funding to develop alternative fuel supplies.”

I certainly want to thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this outstanding hearing this morning.

I am continually concerned about the impact of any new costs on our nation's farmers and, specifically, the energy costs as it relates to minority farmers and consumers.

I am extremely interested in member cooperatives, and I am looking forward to ways to expand ag co-ops to urban areas.

I am absolutely committed to the idea, and the potential, of trying to create a unity of will, a unity of spirit, and a unity of understanding, in terms of the whole cooperative sector of our society.