Bob Dole: “on April 13, the Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation which would reorganize the U.S. Department of Agriculture.…”

“on April 13, the Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation which would reorganize the U.S. Department of Agriculture. These efforts date back to the early eighties, when President Reagan organized the President's private sector survey on cost control, the so-called Grace Commission, to evaluate ways to streamline Government agencies and programs. While some of those recommendations were adopted, most were left untouched. Later, under President Bush, Secretary of Agriculture Ed Madigan continued in the spirit of the Grace Commission by developing a plan which significantly reorganized the U.S. Department of Agriculture. After many years of hard work by both Republicans and Democrats, we have before us a bill which streamlines the USDA. I commend Secretary Espy for continuing the legacy left by his Republican predecessors. This legislation is a compromise between many competing interests. I believe all of us agree that USDA, and for that matter other Federal agencies, should be reorganized. The issue at hand is how to best go about it. Mr. President, Secretary Espy said last year that the consolidation should start at the top. While many of us agreed with his approach, it obviously will not be an easy task. Federal jobs--whether in Washington or at the local level--seem to be viewed by many as permanent unless they are in somebody else's county or State. My chief concern with reorganization has been that local service to the farmer be maintained.”