Political Quotes

“it is with heartfelt regret that I must vote against the 2002 farm bill conference report. It had been my sincere hope this farm bill would improve conditions for the nation's farmers. Unfortunately, it is a budget buster that stimulates overproduction, devastates the Virginia peanut industry, and does not adequately protect the Chesapeake Bay. While I recognize the hard work and good intentions that went into this bill, I cannot in good conscience vote for it. It is not good for Virginia and it is not good for the nation. Agriculture is a crucial industry in Virginia. Farming has been a way of life in Virginia since the first English settlers arrived at Jamestown in 1607. Virginia is a recognized leader in tobacco, peanuts, and poultry production while cotton, corn and soybeans are rapidly gaining in importance. Farming represents almost 10 percent of the jobs in Virginia. And there is no doubt farming is vital to the Nation as a whole. Our farmers produce the safest, most reliable, and most abundant food supply in the world. A stable supply of food and fiber is essential to our national economy and our national security. We do not want to depend on imported food the way we rely on foreign oil. Unfortunately, this conference report does little to ensure the long term health of domestic agricultural production.”