Sam Brownback: “over the past 2 weeks, more than 2,000 farmers--including over 600 from Kansas, the most from any State--have signed a…”

“over the past 2 weeks, more than 2,000 farmers--including over 600 from Kansas, the most from any State--have signed a petition that will be sent to ABC News and TIME magazine today or tomorrow. The signers of this petition are to be commended. Their request is simple. They want to ensure that their voices are heard in an upcoming summit on obesity sponsored by the two news outlets. At this summit, and in subsequent media coverage, ``experts'' will attempt to link Federal support for America's farmers to the country's obesity epidemic. The individuals who signed the petition are frustrated, and rightfully so. This summit is a follow-up to the December news special, ``How to Get Fat Without Really Trying,'' where ABC dedicated more than 15 minutes of airtime to bash Federal support for farmers. Unfortunately, no one from the agricultural community was afforded the opportunity to defend farming families or the policies on which they depend. And don't expect too many farmers to be on hand to defend themselves at the upcoming summit either, not with a $2,000 registration fee. The agriculture community is not alone in its frustration. I am frustrated, too. So are many of my colleagues, like Senators Burns and Lincoln, who have also been vocal in their opposition to those who would blame farmers for America's bulging waistlines.”