Jerry Moran

So, the scope and scale of this problem is significant, and requires bold action.

My guess is the answer to that question is your tenacity is what caused people to learn about the program.

I want to highlight or question the point because I think in the first part of your answer to my question, it was individual farmers who could be helped with USDA programs, and if you would again indicate to me and to the subcommittee what…

Thank you very much. I appreciate each and every one of you being here today and thank you for spending the time you have spent with me and my colleagues on this subcommittee.

Without objection, so ordered.

When service members return home, we want them to know that there are real and rewarding opportunities in U.S. agriculture.

Thank you for telling your story. I appreciate it very much.

It is why I am honored to be in this position today, to do all that I can to help my fellow veterans secure opportunities.

There is no group of people I hold in higher regard than those who served our country.

I appreciate each and every one of you being here today and thank you for spending the time you have spent with me and my colleagues.

Mr. Secretary, you seem very committed, and I appreciate that attitude and approach. Thank you very much.

I would say the USDA has an FSA office in nearly every county in the country where it is accessible.

There is no member of the Senate who does not understand the opportunity to speak a little longer.

I know you worked closely with the VA in Kansas, and I know you are working hard to get your SAVE Program well on its way to meet the needs of veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries.

This requires some training through the SBA in entrepreneurship and helps them phase in that training by offering collateral to launch their business through the G.I. benefits.

I wanted to highlight a Senate bill that I introduced and Senator Tester is a sponsor of, it is Senate bill 1870 entitled 'Veterans Entrepreneur Transition Act.'

I believe this is a good thing to do and we must find a way to get it done.

This program is known as SAVE. The SAVE Program provides transition assistance, training and therapy on training farms so that veterans can be equipped to farm on their own.

I am especially proud to have a fellow Kansan here to tell a story about what is happening in regard to agriculture and veterans in our State.

The purpose of today's hearing is to review opportunities and benefits for military veterans in agriculture.

I, certainly, want to add my compliment to the efforts on Ebola. There was a lot of criticism, but the outcome, I think, was an amazing success to date and demonstrates that we can respond to make a difference.

I would highlight for you that our Subcommittee intends to have a hearing in the next several weeks on this topic of how to bring veterans into agriculture.

Food aid, and particularly the McGovern-Dole--in Kansas, we would say the Dole-McGovern program. You are proposing reductions in the spending in that area.

I have expressed an ongoing concern about the ability for particularly rural telephone companies to be able to repay loans.

My understanding of the current state of the law in regard to Cuba is that we can sell agriculture commodities, food, and medicine to Cuba for cash.