Charles W. Stenholm: “I would say I have to smile every time I hear the consumer argument made, because in this country, everyone knows that…”

“I would say I have to smile every time I hear the consumer argument made, because in this country, everyone knows that we are blessed with the most abundant food supply, the best quality of food, the safest food supply at the lowest cost to our consumer of any other country in the world. No one comes close to us. Today, our dairymen need a raise. In 1984, dairy farmers received $13.61 a hundred, and a half gallon of milk cost $1.13. In 1994, the farmers received $13.02 a hundred, and a half gallon of milk cost $1.44. The Solomon amendment will reduce dairy farm income over the next 7 years by $4 billion. The committee bill that the gentleman from Wisconsin and the gentleman from Minnesota and others have worked hard in numerous hearings will add $3.4 billion. It is not an unreasonable raise. I hear a lot about how much it is going to cost. The true figure is 6 cents per week. We hear a lot about the additives that are going to be added to our milk. Solids, not fat, are primarily protein and calcium. Read the health concerns of so many men and women today. Current Federal standards for class 1 milk requires less protein and calcium than the average cow produces. California has had it right for all of these years. What we are suggesting now is let the cow do her work.”