Political Quotes

“I rise today with all 11 of my colleagues from New England to introduce the Northeast Interstate Dairy Compact. This interstate compact has already been approved by the six New England State legislatures and signed into law by the Governors of New England. As with all interstate compacts, it must be approved by Congress before it takes effect. I commend the New England Governors for sending this compact to Congress for approval. I would like to make special note of the leadership of Governor Howard Dean, State senator Francis Howrigan and State representative Bobby Starr, chairmen of the agriculture committees in the Vermont legislature, and the efforts of Dan Smith of the Northeast Interstate Compact Committee. This compact is a model of cooperation--it is a partnership between the States and the Federal Government, between dairy processors and cooperatives, and most importantly, between dairy farmers and consumers. It can help preserve our family dairy farms. I hope it will be approved at the appropriate time by the Senate and by the House. The compact will form a commission made up of representatives from each State in New England. The commission will be made up of both farmers and consumers and explore ways to improve the marketing of milk within the region. This commission will also have authority to set prices--above the minimum prices set by the New England Federal milk marketing order--for beverage, or fluid milk, in the New England region.”