America's dairy farmers and those in my state of Wisconsin, which has more dairy farmers than any other state by far, are suffering hugely from low prices and a dairy pricing system that often works against the farmers best interests.

I think the American people need some answers, and this hearing will provide a unique opportunity for you to address them.

Thank you for that willingness to work with producers and I urge you to get those checks out to the farmers as soon as possible.

I would like to offer a very warm welcome to Senator Bennett as he assumes his responsibilities as chairman of this subcommittee.

If they have a backlog with their testing, they have got to do something about it, and if we need to help them, then that is what we need to do.

We must remember that much of Rural America did not share in all the prosperity that the rest of the Nation enjoyed over the past decade.

Clearly, protection of our food supply is one of our greatest responsibilities.

Wisconsin officials are in constant contact with us here and they have informed us that they need over $5 million in fiscal year 2004 for continued chronic wasting disease testing and monitoring.

How they test and how frequently they test, how accurately they test is of enormous importance to us.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for holding this propitious hearing this morning.

But that kind of a backlog would not be tolerated by you here.

Thank you very much, Senator Bennett.