Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, I do thank the committee for this important discussion. I find it exceedingly valuable. I am one of the people who the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm) referred to who is not an expert in agriculture. I do not pretend to be. But it is important to me, and I took the time this summer to talk to people in my State who are the experts, people on the board of agriculture, practicing farmers, leaders in the industry. They made it clear to me that this was an opportunity for this Congress to seize the opportunity to begin reforming agriculture for the next century. The current system, I was told, and I dearly believe, and nothing that I have read in connection with the debate here today leads me to feel otherwise, that is, that our system was great to lead us out of the Depression, and it does indeed continue to help many economic interests, but it does not, for instance, help what happens in my State for the majority of people who are involved with agriculture. This amendment that we are debating here today is an opportunity for us to step forward that is going to make a difference in our community. I would like to dwell on one particular item, the farmland protection program, which would receive much needed increased funding under this amendment. There currently is a backlog of over $250 million for the voluntary purchase of conservation easements under this program.”