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George H.W. Bush Presidential Records
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Speech File Draft Files
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Disaster Assistance Act Signing Ceremony 8/14/89
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6
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
August 14, 1989
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT SIGNING CEREMONY FOR
DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT
The Roosevelt Room
11:36 A.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Well, all of you, welcome to the White
House. And I want to salute Bob Dole -- a driving force behind this
bill. of course, Senator Bond, Kit Bond, helping so much and
Governor Hayden. Congressman Stenholm from Texas. And our
outstanding Secretary of Agriculture, Clayt Yeutter -- all of whom
have played a key role in bringing this important relief to farm
families hit by the extreme weather.
And let me give a special welcome to the representatives
of the American farm community that are here with us today.
I'm sure some of you heard the story of Mark Twain and
his friend Howells, William Dean Howells, walking together when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and he said,
"Do you think it'll stop?"
Mark Twain looked at him and says, "Well, it always
does." And Twain may have been many things, but he wasn't a farmer.
(Laughter.)
And the farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
And sometimes nature fails him. And I know, Bob and Mike, that
Kansas was hit especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is
less than half of normal levels. In a number of states -- from the
Dakotas to the Texas Panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as
well -- farmers have indeed suffered.
And this bill provides relief: Disaster payments
totalling approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the
wheat, soybeans, cotton and other crops they lost due to damaging
weather conditions this year. And this act will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- and will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch their crops fail.
All of us know that the prevailing climate here in
Washington is one of fiscal restraint and money's tight. And that's
why it is good news that the cost of the disaster relief that I'm
authorizing today is reasonable -- it'll provide relief only to those
farmers hardest hit by adverse weather. And it wisely rewards those
who took the prudent step of purchasing crop insurance.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, unfortunately, due to the
drought, but even more, due to the resurgence of America's farming
and a sharp increase in ag exports.
And that's meant higher prices for the farmers. It's
meant lower budget costs. And it's meant a better balance of trade
for our nation. And that's a trend that certainly I want to help see
that that continues. With Clayton Yeutter in the lead, we're working
to keep world markets open for American agriculture.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some
of the controls that limit what farmers can plant, leaving more
farmers free then to choose the crops they grow and to diversify
agricultural production. It's a provision I'm pleased to see that's
MORE
- 2 -
included in this act.
The farmer is one of the original American entrepreneurs
-- men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and
indeed the rest of the world -- risk-takers who start from scratch
each season, staking their fortunes on the new year's harvest. And
disaster can strike -- and this year it did. And that's why I'm
pleased to show our country's appreciation and support for farmers by
authorizing the Disaster Assistance Act of 1989.
So thank you very much for coming. And now we will get
on with the signing.
END
11:40 A.M. EDT
Document No. 062410
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
---
8/12/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
SUBJECT:
AUGUST 14, 1989
(8/11 - 5:30 p.m. draft)
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
CLERK
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
The attached has been forwarded to the President.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH: CHRISS WINSTON w
FROM:
DANIEL MCGROARTY
indi
SUBJECT: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
I. SUMMARY
On Monday, August 14, 1989 at 11:30 a.m., you will sign the
Disaster Assistance Act of 1989 into law. The signing ceremony
will take place in the Roosevelt Room.
II. DISCUSSION
Approximately 40 Congressional and Cabinet officials, and
representatives of the agriculture community will attend the
ceremony. Your remarks focus on the importance of providing this
needed relief to American farmers, in a way that is consistent
with prevailing budget constraints.
McGroarty/Dooley
August 11, 1989
5:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
11:30 A.M.
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Chairmen Leahy and de la Garza. Senators Lugar, Cochran, Bond,
and Kassebaum. And our outstanding Secretary of Agriculture,
Clayton Yeutter -- all of whom have played key roles in bringing
this important relief to farm families hit by extreme weather.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
3
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It's meant lower
budget costs. And it's meant a better balance of trade for our
nation. That's a trend I mean to continue. With Clayton Yeutter
in the lead, we're working to keep world markets open for
American agriculture.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation and support for her farmers by authorizing the
Disaster Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1989
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH: CHRISS WINSTON w
FROM:
DANIEL MCGROARTY
oner
SUBJECT: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
I. SUMMARY
On Monday, August 14, 1989 at 11:30 a.m., you will sign the
Disaster Assistance Act of 1989 into law. The signing ceremony
will take place in the Roosevelt Room.
II. DISCUSSION
Approximately 40 Congressional and Cabinet officials, and
representatives of the agriculture community will attend the
ceremony. Your remarks focus on the importance of providing this
needed relief to American farmers, in a way that is consistent
with prevailing budget constraints.
McGroarty/Dooley
August 11, 1989
4:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
11:30 A.M.
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Chairmen Leahy and de la Garza. Senators Lugar, Cochran, Bond,
and Kassebaum. And our outstanding Secretary of Agriculture,
Clayton Yeutter -- all of whom have played key roles in bringing
this important relief to farm families hit by extreme weather.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done --- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
2
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. In a number of states -- from the Dakotas
to the Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers have suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
soybeans, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act will help farmers recover after
damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year when
they've had to stand by and watch crops fail.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today is reasonable -- it will provide relief only to those
farmers hardest hit by adverse weather. And it wisely rewards
those farmers who took the prudent step of purchasing crop
insurance.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, unfortunately due to drought,
but even more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a
sharp increase in agricultural exports.
3
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It's meant lower
budget costs. And it's meant a better balance of trade for our
nation. That's a trend I mean to continue. With Clayton Yeutter
in the lead, we're working to keep world markets open for
American agriculture.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation and support for her farmers by authorizing the
Disaster Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
1983/18/189 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
See comments 9/11/89.
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
ras receivey- ug. 447-3631
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 F:: 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
Politically
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
No
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods
aq.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
soy beans and
corn, cotton and, other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither fail. in the field
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
Refer
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
&
Commany
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
aug.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
lifer
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
many if any
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
See 28 : Gd 9/11/89. 68
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
Pat Kearney- ag. 447-3631
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 Pill 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
Politically
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
a9.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
soy beans and
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither fail. in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
Refer
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
&
Commany
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
any.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
2 fer
to
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
monants if any
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
Peaay
REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
11:30 A.M.
WELCOME TO THE WHITE HOUSE. SENATOR DOLE -- A
DRIVING FORCE BEHIND THIS BILL. SENATOR BOND.
GOVERNOR HAYDEN [OF KANSAS]. CONGRESSMEN HUCKABY AND
STENHOLM.
- 2 -
AND OUR OUTSTANDING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, CLAYTON
YEUTTER -- ALL OF WHOM HAVE PLAYED KEY ROLES IN
BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT RELIEF TO FARM FAMILIES HIT BY
EXTREME WEATHER.
AND LET ME GIVE A SPECIAL WELCOME TO
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE AMERICAN FARM COMMUNITY HERE
WITH US TODAY.
- 3 -
MAYBE YOU KNOW THE STORY INVOLVING MARK TWAIN AND
HIS FRIEND WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS, WALKING TOGETHER ONE
DAY WHEN A THUNDERSTORM BROKE OUT. HOWELLS LOOKED UP
TO THE CLOUDS AND SAID TO TWAIN, "Do YOU THINK IT WILL
STOP?"
TWAIN SAID: "Iт ALWAYS HAS." [[PAUSE]] TWAIN MAY
HAVE been MANY THINGS IN HIS LIFE, BUT HE WASN'T A
FARMER.
- 4 -
THE FARMER IS AT THE MERCY OF THE FORCES OF NATURE.
SOMETIMES NATURE FAILS HIM. SENATOR Dole, I KNOW
KANSAS WAS HIT ESPECIALLY HARD -- THIS YEAR'S WINTER
WHEAT CROP IS LESS THAN HALF OF NORMAL levels. IN A
NUMBER OF STATES - -- FROM THE DAKOTAS TO THE TEXAS
PANHANDLE, AND IN THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES AS WELL --
FARMERS HAVE SUFFERED.
- 5 -
THIS BILL PROVIDES RELIEF: DISASTER PAYMENTS
TOTALLING APPROXIMATELY $900 MILLION TO COMPENSATE
FARMERS FOR THE WHEAT, SOYBEANS, COTTON AND OTHER CROPS
THEY LOST TO DAMAGING WEATHER CONDITIONS THIS YEAR.
THIS ACT WILL HELP FARMERS RECOVER AFTER DAMAGING RAIN
AND WIND -- WILL SEE OTHERS THROUGH A YEAR WHEN THEY'VE
HAD TO STAND BY AND WATCH CROPS FAIL.
Now all OF US KNOW THE PREVAILING CLIMATE HERE IN
WASHINGTON IS ONE OF FISCAL RESTRAINT. MONEY'S TIGHT.
- 6 -
AND THAT'S WHY IT'S GOOD NEWS THAT THE COST OF THE
DISASTER RELIEF I'm AUTHORIZING TODAY IS REASONABLE --
IT WILL PROVIDE RELIEF ONLY To THOSE FARMERS HARDEST
HIT BY ADVERSE WEATHER. AND IT WISELY REWARDS THOSE
FARMERS WHO TOOK THE PRUDENT STEP OF PURCHASING CROP
INSURANCE.
- 7 -
WE'VE SEEN A DRAMATIC REDUCTION IN AGRICULTURAL
SURPLUSES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS -- IN PART,
UNFORTUNATELY DUE TO DROUGHT, BUT EVEN MORE, DUE TO THE
RESURGENCE OF AMERICAN FARMING AND A SHARP INCREASE IN
AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS.
THAT'S MEANT HIGHER PRICES FOR FARMERS. It's MEANT
LOWER BUDGET COSTS. AND IT'S MEANT A BETTER BALANCE OF
TRADE FOR OUR NATION. THAT'S A TREND I MEAN TO
CONTINUE.
- 8 -
WITH CLAYTON YEUTTER IN THE LEAD, WE'RE WORKING TO KEEP
WORLD MARKETS OPEN FOR AMERICAN AGRICULTURE.
AND IN ADDITION TO DISASTER RELIEF, THIS LAW
LOOSENS SOME OF THE CONTROLS THAT LIMIT WHAT FARMERS
CAN plant. LEAVING MORE FARMERS FREE TO CHOOSE WHAT
CROPS TO GROW WILL HELP DIVERSIFY AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTION -- AND IT'S A PROVISION I'm PLEASED TO SEE
INCLUDED IN THIS AcT.
- 9 -
THE FARMER IS ONE OF AMERICA'S ORIGINAL
ENTREPRENEURS -- MEN AND WOMEN WHOSE PHENOMENAL
PRODUCTIVITY FEEDS AMERICA AND THE WORLD. RISK-TAKERS
WHO START FROM SCRATCH EACH SEASON, STAKING THEIR
FORTUNES ON THE NEW YEAR'S HARVEST. DISASTER CAN
STRIKE -- AND THIS YEAR IT DID. THAT'S WHY I'm PLEASED
TO SHOW AMERICA'S APPRECIATION AND SUPPORT FOR HER
FARMERS BY AUTHORIZING THE DISASTER ASSISTANCE AcT OF
1989.
- 10 - -
THANK YOU FOR COMING THIS MORNING. AND NOW I'll
PICK UP THE pen AND SIGN THIS BILL INTO LAW.
# # #
BAFES
McGroarty/Dooley
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
soybecuns
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops fail. wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/11/89 10:00 AM
8/10/89
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
WINSTON
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
BW prouded
comments.
James W. Cicconi
7
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 PM 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Mike not Tom
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
NC
RESPONSE:
89 AUG A8: 15
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 PII 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
8
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
AUG 11 A8: 07
Excellent speech Crans
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 PII 2: 2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman "de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
Document No. 06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
/
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
WINSTON
CARD
PINKERTON
CICCONI
EVANS
DEMAREST
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
no comments
€ 8 6v AUGHT 68
RESPONSE:
Sms
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 Fill 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman "de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
FROM:
ROGER B. PORTER RBP
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Disaster Assistance Act
Signing Ceremony
The draft remarks look good. We have only one suggested
recommendation. We believe it would be appropriate for the
President to recognize Secretary of Agriculture Clayton Yeutter
for the pivotal and constructive role he played in the
development of this legislation. Secretary Yeutter could be
mentioned in the introductory paragraph.
If you have any questions or I can help in any way, please
let me know.
CC: James W. Cicconi
05:6v 11 I V 68
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 FII 22
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 11, 1989
MEMORANDUM FOR CHRISS WINSTON
DEPUTY ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
FOR COMMUNICATIONS
FROM:
ROBERT J. PORTMANRIP
ASSOCIATE COUNSEL TO THE PRESIDENT
SUBJECT:
Presidential Remarks: Disaster Assistance
Act Signing Ceremony
Pursuant to your staffing request of August 10, 1989, Counsel's
Office has reviewed the above-referenced draft remarks. We have
no legal objection to the contents of these remarks.
Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention.
CC: James W. Cicconi
E1 : Olv 11 AUG 68
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
\
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
Chriss - Comments on pr 243 (minor)
01 22 11 GUG 68
Jim
8/11
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 PII 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman -de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has. " [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
importinately,
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
and support
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
29 : NO H AUG 68
COMMENTS
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
555
frown Rook of (inecdotes
TWAIN
554
"I guess so," responded Twain.
his world tour. Twain arrived in time for the
olved to meet her. He later
ivitation to visit the Langdon
"Have you bought your ticket yet?"
large welcoming procession. On the way to the
and in that week he fell thor-
"No, not yet."
reviewing stand, the mayor of Chicago said,
as the family called her. On
"Well, it's sold out, so you'll have to stand."
"General, let me present Mr. Clemens, a man
his visit he said to Langdon,
"Just my luck," said Twain with a sigh. "I
almost as great as yourself." The two men
ek is up, and I must go home."
always have to stand when that fellow lec-
shook hands, and there was a pause. Then the
t press him to stay longer, but
tures."
general looked at Twain gravely. "Mr. Clem-
e to stand it, I guess, but you
{Calvin Coolidge was also very much
ens," he said, "I am not embarrassed, are you?"
fore tonight."
aware that he didn't get a seat at his own
They both laughed.
) by the first train," said Clem-
lectures. See COOLIDGE 8.}
am in love."
12 Mark Twain often did his writing in bed,
8 There were always cats at Mark Twain's
regardless of the time of day. On one occasion
ith your sister, and I ought to
farm, and favorite cats had their own names-
his wife came in to tell him that a reporter had
here."
Blatherskite, Sour Mash, Stray Kit, Sin, Satan.
arrived to interview him. When Twain showed
$ now genuinely alarmed: no
His children inherited his love of them. His
no sign of being ready to get up, she said,
nough for his sister, the family's
daughter Susy once said, "The difference be-
"Don't you think it will be a little embarrassing
C here, Clemens," he said,
tween Papa and Mamma is, that Mamma loves
for him to find you in bed?"
in half an hour. I'll help you
morals and Papa loves cats."
"Why, if you think so, Livy," Twain re-
wait till tonight. Go now."
sponded, "we could have the other bed made
mens did stay until after din-
9 As Twain and his good friend the writer
up for him."
Langdon were about to set
William Dean Howells were leaving church
tation when the seat of their
one Sunday, it started to rain heavily. Howells
13 Henry Irving was telling Mark Twain a
properly locked into place,
looked up at the clouds and said, "Do you
story. "You haven't heard this, have you?" he
into the street. Neither was
think it will stop?"
inquired after the preamble. Mark Twain as-
rt; Clemens was only dazed,
"It always has," replied Twain.
sured him he had not. A little later Irving again
re that he did not recover too
paused and asked the same question. Mark
e was taken back into the
10 When the printing plates were being pre-
Twain made the same answer. Irving then got
re he remained for another
pared for the illustrations to Huckleberry Finn,
almost to the climax of the tale before breaking
Livy did become his wife.}
a mischievous engraver (whose identity was
off again Are you quite sure you haven't
never discovered despite the posting of a re-
heard this?" The third time was too much for
in's wife did her best to censor
ward) made an addition to the picture of old
his listener. "I can lie once," said Twain, "I can
uresque flights of her husband's
Silas Phelps. He drew in a male sex organ, thus
lie twice for courtesy's sake, but I draw the line
: morning he cut himself shaving
altering entirely the implications of the pic-
there. I can't lie the third time at any price. I not
ng and loud. When he stopped.
tured Aunt Sally's question, "Who do you
only heard the story, I invented it."
to shame him by repeating to him
think it is?" The alteration was discovered only
the profanities that he had just
after thousands of the books had been printed
14 When Mark Twain was in London, a
in heard her out and then re-
and bound, and the offending illustration had
rumor of his death or imminent death reached
u have the words, my dear, but
to be cut out by hand and replaced.
the editor of the New York Journal, who sent
u'll never master the tune."
its London correspondent the following cable-
ssman notorious for his ruthless-
11 After several attempts, Mark Twain at last
grams: "IF MARK TWAIN DYING IN POV-
obtained an appointment to see General
ERTY IN LONDON SEND 500 WORDS"
:ed to Mark Twain, "Before I die I
Ulysses S. Grant at home. He was elated at this
and "IF MARK TWAIN HAS DIED IN POV-
e a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. I
prospect, but when he actually confronted
ERTY SEND 1000 WORDS." The Journal's
ount Sinai and read the Ten Com-
Grant and looked at that square, imperturb-
man showed the cables to Mark Twain, who
aloud at the top."
better idea," said Twain. "You
able, unsmiling face, he found himself, for the
suggested the substance of a reply to the effect
ome in Boston and keep them."
first time, unable to think of what to say.
that a cousin, James Ross Clemens, had been
Grant, noted for his taciturnity, nodded
seriously ill in London, but had recovered. The
at a small town in the course of a
slightly and waited. Mark Twain hesitated, and
reply ended with "REPORT OF MY DEATH
Mark Twain went to the local
then inspiration came. "General," he said, "I
GREATLY EXAGGERATED."
for a shave, and told the barber
seem to be a little embarrassed, are you?" This
his first visit to the town. "You've
broke the ice, and there were no further diffi-
15 One night a group of Twain's friends and
od time to come," said the barber.
culties.
admirers in New York, remembering it was the
in is going to lecture here tonight.
Twelve years later the two men met again in
writer's birthday, resolved to send him birth-
to go, I suppose?"
Chicago, at a reception for General Grant after
day greetings. The globe-trotting Twain was
This occurer
Today, about something
mother N. nava Bas- 1
binging the vertum
of draught + flaire
together.
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
To Dan McGroarty
Attached is a summary 3
the Disaster Rehel Bill
I think that this will give
you what you Need.
If you have any questions
cull us at 2813
John fish
P02
38. 04. 89 05:28 PM
FAX
Elmar
823-2665
SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS
H.R. 2467, AS AMENDED,
DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT of 1989
total offset? cost
Overview
Provides disaster assistance to agricultural producers of
program and nonprogram crops who suffered losses in production or
the marketability of crops due to damaging weather or related
condition in 1988 or 1989 which affected the 1989 crop.
Damaging weather includes but is not limited to drought,
hail, excessive moisture, freeze, tornado, hurricane, or
excessive wind, or any combination thereof.
Related condition includes but is not limited to insect
infestations, plant diseases, or other deterioration of a crop of
a commodity, including aflatoxin, that is accelerated or
exacerbated naturally as a result of damaging weather occurring
m
prior to or during harvest.
Payment Provisions
what
Provides disaster payments to producers of program and
nonprogram crops, including soybeans and sunflowers, in the
following amounts --
O for producers of program crops (including sugar, tobacco and
peanut) who purchased crop insurance for 1989, would provide
65 percent of the 1989 target price for crop losses exceeding
35 percent of normal production;
o
for producers of program crops who did not purchase crop
insurance for 1989, would provide 65 percent of the 1989
target price for crop losses exceeding 40 percent of normal
production;
for soybeans and sunflowers, provides 65 percent of the
average producer market price of the last 5 years for losses
exceeding 45 percent of normal yield;
for individuals who produced program crops but did not
participate in the federal program for that crop, provides 65
percent of the county loan rate for losses exceeding 50
percent of normal production. For all other producers of
nonprogram crops, provides 65 percent of the average producer
market price of the last 5 years for losses exceeding 50
percent of normal production.
?
Provides that the Secretary shall exclude from harvested
amounts 70 percent of the quantity of a commodity that could not
08. 04. 89 05:28 PM
PO3
-2-
be sold in normal channels of trade due to damaging weather, as
well as dockage, for purposes of calculating losses for disaster
payments.
estimated.
Forgives repayment of advance deficiency payments for crop
losses for that portion of the losses up to 35 percent of normal
production for those who had crop insurance and up to 40 percent
for those who did not.
Provides that any refund of 1988 advance deficiency payments
that a producer may be required to make will not be required
until July 1990
Related Provisions
Prevented planting election - Allows producers with
prevented planting acreage or failed acreage to choose between
50/92 or 0/92 participation or disaster payments.
Yield determination - Allows the Secretary to use best
available information (e.g., extension service records) in
establishing county average yields for nonprogram crops.
Dryland and Irrigated Yields - Authorizes the Secretary to
separately calculate dryland and irrigated ylelds in determining
eligibility for disaster assistance.
substitution of Crop Insurance Program Yields - Authorizes
the Secretary to allow producers of 1989 crops who have crop
insurance to substitute FCIC yields for farm program payments
yields for purposes of determining disaster assistance
eligibility.
Honey - Provides for disaster assistance to honey producers
in a manner similar to the treatment of nonprogram crops.
Crop Quality Reduction Payments - Permits the Secretary to
make an additional 10 percent payment to producers for losses in
the quality of nonprogram crops on production losses between 45
and 75 percent.
diversion,
shrinkage Allowance for Peanuts - Provides that the export
obligation of handlers is to be reduced by a shrinkage allowance
that is not less than 4 and one-half percent.
Planting of Alternative Crops - Directs the Secretary to
permit that planting of mung bean and mustard crops on up to 20
information,
percent of a farm's base acreage. This is an addition to a
to
recently passed provision affecting the Agricultural Act of 1949.
Lisaster
Elimination of Double Payments - Directs the Secretary to
reduce disaster payments by an amount that reflects the value of
08. 04. 89 05:28 PM
PQ4
- 3-
any crop planted to replace the crop for which disaster payments
are received.
Payment limitations
Limits combined crop insurance benefits and disaster payment
that a producer may receive to an amount that does not exceed
income from normal crop yields.
Limits total benefits a producer may receive under this
legislation to $100,000.
Limits combined benefits a producer may receive under this
legislation and current livestock emergency programs to $100,000,
and prohibits producers from receiving double benefits on the
same production loss.
Prohibits persons who have gross revenues in excess of $2
million from receiving disaster assistance under this bill.
Limitation on Outlays
budget
Contains provision intended to limit outlays, if necessary,
to offset disaster expenditures and avoid triggering a
sequestration.
Crop Insurance
Purchase Requirement - Requires those who elect to receive a
disaster payment or receive forgiveness of advance deficiency
payments under this program to purchase the minimum amount of
federal crop insurance if they suffer a loss of over 65 percent
and if crop insurance is available in their county for crop year
1990. This requirement does not apply if the premium for federal
crop insurance would exceed 25 percent of the benefits received
under this program, or if the insurance premium increased more
that 25 percent between 1989 and 1990, or if would create undue
financial hardship.
Crop Insurance Yield Coverage - Authorized the Federal Crop
Insurance Commission (FCIC) to implement insurance coverage that
provides for yield coverage based on either farm program payment
yields or actual production history.
Crop Insurance for Orchard Crops - Includes a Sense of the
Congress resolution that the Secretary should expeditiously
expand the availability of Federal Crop Insurance to all orchard
crops.
08. 04. 89 05:28 PM
P05
-4-
Livestock Assistance
?
Use of Stored Grain - Authorizes the use of on-farm stored
feed grain that is under OCC loan for the purpose of furnishing
feed in accordance with the Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance
7
program
Pond Construction - Amends the Emergency Livestock Feed
Assistance Act of 1988 to include provision for the construction
or deepening of ponds for livestock water.
Livestock Water - Authorizes $25 million to provide
assistance for construction or maintenance of livestock drinking
water.
Transportation Assistance - Authorizes $25 million to
provide transportation assistance for livestock to grazing
locations for 1989 emergencies.
Water for Confined Livestock - - Authorizes the use of water
assistance measures to provide water for confined livestock and
makes eligible those who undertake emergency measures in 1989 if
there is a period of serious drought in fiscal 1989.
study of Animal Unit Determination - Directs the Secretary
to conduct a study of the manner in which animal unit feed
requirements are calculated for the purposes of implementing the
Emergency Livestock Feed Assistance program.
Forest Crops and Orchards
Replacement of Tree Seedlings - Directs USDA to provide
assistance in the reestablishment of forests and Christmas tree
production if seedling were lost due to drought or wildfire in
1989. Benefits are limited to tree farmers and commercial
growers who own 1000 acres or less.
Replacement of Orchards - Directs the Secretary to make
payments in the amount of 65 percent of the cost of replanting
trees lost in excess of 45 percent or sufficient seedlings to
reestablish the orchard to those orchardists who suffered over a
45 percent loss of trees due to freeze or related condition in
1989. Eligible orchardists are those who produce annual crops
from trees and own 500 acres or less of such trees.
related
conservation measure
Directs the Secretary not to reduce rental payments (equal
to one-half of the amount paid by the participant in carrying out
the conservation practices) to participants in the conservation
reserve program (CRP) who are allowed to hay or graze their CRP
acres if they incur costs in carrying out approved conservation
P06
08, 04. 89 05:28 PM
- -5- -
practices.
Emergency Water Assistance
Authorizes the establishment of an emergency water
assistance program to assist residents of rural areas in securing
adequate quantities of water where significant declines in the
quantity or quality of available water have occurred.
Authorizes $35 million for FY 1990 and $35 million for FY
1991 to provide for grants to communities with population of
15,000 or less which have suffered such losses. 50 percent of
the funds available in each fiscal year are to be made available
for communities with populations of 5000 or less.
small bres unwel
areas- development
Emergency Loans
Crop Insurance Waiver - USDA is authorized to provide
emergency loans for producers whose crops were affected by
disaster in 1988 whether or not the producer had previously
purchased federal crop insurance.
operating Loans - Directs the Secretary to make available,
to the maximum extent practicable, FmHA direct operating loans to
farmers suffering losses due to damaging weather or related
condition.
Rural Business Enterprise Loans - Directs the Secretary to
if
make available in FY 1989, to the maximum extent practicable,
rural industrialization loans or loan guarantees to assist rural
businesses directly and adversely affected by damaging weather or
related condition.
Assistance for Watershed Repair - Authorizes assistance to
repair damage caused by storms to watersheds.
FmHA Loans to Indian Tribes - Permits FmHA loan write-downs
for Indian Tribes,
Farmers Home Admin.
funer at the
many
the nature
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
August 10, 1989
TO:
Chriss Winston, Deputy Assistant to the President
for Communications
FROM:
Brian Waidmann, Special Assistant for Legislative
Affairs
SUBJECT: Proposed Changes to Presidential Remarks for the
Disaster Assistant Signing Ceremony
I have discussed the following changes with Peggy Dooley. Here
are the suggested changes in writing:
On page 1, first paragraph: Add Senator Nancy Kassebaum to list
of sponsors.
On page 2, paragraph 3: strike the rest of the sentence after
"good news" and insert:
"that the cost of this bill is reasonable -- assistance is
limited only to those who have suffered substantial losses
because of adverse weather conditions."
This second change was cleared with Bob Grady of OMB as well.
It is a fine speech. The Mark Twain story is perfect. Nice
work.
89 AUG 11 A8: 35
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
PORTER
DARMAN
STUDDERT
BATES
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON
DEMAREST
EVANS
FITZWATER
GRAY
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11
with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
See comments
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1023 MUG 10 III 2:
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Grady
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
4844
behind this bill. and Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors, Chairman Leahn.
Lugar,
Senators Cochran, ^ Bond, Leahy and Lugar
Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
And our outstanding Secretary of Agriculture, Clarpton Yuetter all playeda of whom
key vole
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
in
bring
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
this
modest
in one place victims of drought and floods.
bytimpotant
relief to
droght stink
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
formles
hi
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
test
bycatre
weather.
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
In several states,
half of normal levels. Everywhere from the Dakotas to the
Grady 4844
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers, suffered.
have
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing today
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
is reasonab le
it will
provide
relief only to those farmers it by
adverse weather. And it wisely rewards
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
those farmers who took the prodent step of purchasing
crop
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
insurance.
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
Ad It's meant
lower budgetcosts. And
Srady 4844
That's meant higher prices for farmers. ^ It'means + a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet gradually the
toring drawn the Casts of telping farmers # because Less withstong Pines, less
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget
75 funds that win be won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
That's atrend I mean to continue. with Clayton Muetter in the lead, we're
working to beep markets open for American agriculture-
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
Document No.
06241055
WHITE HOUSE STAFFING MEMORANDUM
8/10/89
8/11/89 10:00 AM
DATE:
ACTION/CONCURRENCE/COMMENT DUE BY:
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
SUBJECT:
ACTION FYI
ACTION FYI
VICE PRESIDENT
MCCLURE a couple
SUNUNU
NEWMAN
SCOWCROFT
*
PORTER Small
DARMAN BIG
STUDDERT N/C
BATES small
UNTERMEYER
BREEDEN
ROGERS
CARD
WINSTON
CICCONI
PINKERTON N/C
DEMAREST N/C
EVANS N/C
FITZWATER
GRAY N/C
HAGIN
REMARKS:
Please forward any comments directly to Chriss Winston, Rm.
122, x2930, no later than 10:00 AM, Friday, August 11, with
a copy to my office. THank you.
RESPONSE:
9 AUG A8: 06
James W. Cicconi
Assistant to the President
and Deputy to the Chief of Staff
Ext. 2702
McGroarty/Dooley
1989 AUG 10 PII 2:2
August 10, 1989
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME 11.30AM
Secutary Yeather
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind Lugor this bill. and Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors, Chairmon heahe
and Kassebaum
and
Senators Cochran, ^ Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
and our outo tonding Secretary of Conculture Clarton yell Her
all of whom has played a key role in bringing this important relief to
families bit by extreme weather.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
In a number of states,
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
have
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
soybears
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
face.
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news / that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing today
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
unfortunately
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
Ibmeont lower.
budget costs, and
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
Thats
Grady charges
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
and support)
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
STAFFED
10AM
McGroarty/Dooley
August 10, 1989
FRI
1:30 p.m.
[RELIEF]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT SIGNING CEREMONY
THE ROOSEVELT ROOM
AUGUST 14, 1989
TIME ??
Welcome to the White House. Senator Dole -- a driving force
behind this bill. Governor Hayden [of Kansas]. Key sponsors,
Senators Cochran, Bond, Leahy and Lugar. Chairman de la Garza.
And let me give a special welcome to representatives of the
American farm community here with us today. This occasion has
done something Mother Nature has never done -- brought together
in one place victims of drought and floods.
Maybe you know the story involving Mark Twain and his friend
William Dean Howells, walking together one day when a
thunderstorm broke out. Howells looked up to the clouds and said
to Twain, "Do you think it will stop?"
Twain said: "It always has." [[Pause]] Twain may have
been many things in his life, but he wasn't a farmer.
The farmer is at the mercy of the forces of nature.
Sometimes nature fails him. Senator Dole, I know Kansas was hit
especially hard -- this year's winter wheat crop is less than
half of normal levels. Everywhere -- from the Dakotas to the
Texas panhandle, and in the mid-Atlantic states as well --
farmers suffered.
This bill provides relief: Disaster payments totalling
approximately $900 million to compensate farmers for the wheat,
corn, cotton and other crops they lost to damaging weather
conditions this year. This act help will help farmers recover
after damaging rain and wind -- will see others through a year
when they've had to stand by and watch crops wither in the field.
Now all of us know the prevailing climate here in Washington
is one of fiscal restraint. Money's tight. And that's why it's
good news that the cost of the disaster relief I'm authorizing
today will be offset by savings in farm subsidies -- and falls
within the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings targets.
We've seen a dramatic reduction in agricultural surpluses
over the past few years -- in part, due to drought, but even
more, due to the resurgence of American farming and a sharp
increase in agricultural exports.
That's meant higher prices for farmers. It means a better
balance of trade for our nation. And it means we can meet the
costs of this bill with funds already in the Agriculture budget -
- funds that won't be needed to make deficiency payments, pay
storage costs and the like.
And in addition to disaster relief, this law loosens some of
the controls that limit what farmers can plant. Leaving more
farmers free to choose what crops to grow will help diversify
agricultural production -- and it's a provision I'm pleased to
see included in this Act.
The farmer is one of America's original entrepreneurs --
men and women whose phenomenal productivity feeds America and the
world. Risk-takers who start from scratch each season, staking
their fortunes on the new year's harvest. Disaster can strike --
and this year it did. That's why I'm pleased to show America's
appreciation for her farmers by authorizing the Disaster
Assistance Act of 1989.
Thank you for coming this morning. And now I'll pick up the
pen and sign this bill into law.
# # #
OFFICE OF THE MANAGE PRESIDENT STATES OF THE UNITED
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
August 8, 1989
MEMORANDUM TO David Demarest
Steve Studdert
FROM:
Bob Grady Bb
As a follow-up to our conversation of yesterday, here is some
information on the recently-passed drought bill.
As you can see, the major beneficiaries are wheat farmers. The
states hardest hit, and therefore likely to benefit from the bill,
are Kansas, Nebraska, the Dakotas, and the Texas panhandle.
The President legally has 10 working days from receipt of the
bill (expected 8/9) to sign it -- which means Wednesday, August 23rd.
I am told by OMB experts, howèver, that it would be useful to sign
it by Tuesday, August 15th, so that the legally-required Gramm-
Rudman snapshot on that date will show the effectof this additional
spending. This will keep the pressure on against even further
new spending that would add to the deficit and potentially trigger
a sequester.
If you decide to do a bill-signing event, either here or in one
of those states, please let me know what other information would be
useful.
Attachment
CC: Dick Darman
Jim Cicconi
SENT BY:OMB/NRD/AG. BRANCH
; 8- 7-89 ; 3:35PM ;
2023954941->
2023955730;# 2
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
TO: Robert Grady
Take necessary action
C ]
Approval of signature
[ )
THROUGH: David Gibbons
Comment
[ J
Prepare reply.
1 5
Discuss with me
E ]
For your information
[*]
See remarks below
[ 3
FROM: Jim Langle
APAL
DATE: August 7, 1989
REMARKS: Information on Outlays for Disaster Bill
Attached im a breakdown by crop of estimated disaster payments
under the Disaster Assistance Act of 1989. A total of $780
million in outlaye for program crops is distributed as $456
million (58%) for wheat, $134 million (17%) for feed grains, $187
million (24%) for cotton, and $3 million (1%) for peanuts, sugar,
and tobacco. Other costs for non-program crops are $267 million
for a total cost of the bill of $1,047 million. These costs are
reduced by $150 million in offsets for a net bill cost of $897
million.
The most severe losses for program crops occurred in the Great
Plains states. The most affected wheat crops are in the Texas
panhandle, western Kansas and Nebraska, and in the Dakotas.
Flood damage to cotton occurred primarily in Louisians, Arkansas,
Alabama, and Tennessee. Most fruit, vegetable, and orchard
damage occurred in the Texas Rio Grande valley, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania.
SENT BY:OMB/NRD/AG. BRANCH
; 8- 7-89 ; 3:36PM ;
2023954941->
2023955730:# 3
ESTIMATED COST OF DISASTER ASSISTANCE ACT OF 1989
AS PASSED AUGUST 4, 1989
FY90 Outlays
1) Program Crops -- Participante
© All program crop participants with FCIC
35% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 35%
Wheat
178
Feed grains
54
Cotton
76
Rice
o
Subtotal
308
0
All program crop participante without FCIC
40% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 40%
Wheat
234
Feed grains
67
Cotton
99
Rice
0
Subtotal
400
Total for program crop participants
708
2) All non-participants in program crops
50% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 50%
Wheat
44
Feed grains
13
Cotton
12
Rice
0
Subtotal
69
3) All non-program crops
142
50% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 50%
4) Soybean producers
115
45% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 45%
5) Freeze damage to orchards
3
45% loas requirement
60% reimbursement of cost of replanting
6) Forest crop assistance
2
45% loss requirement
60% reimbursement of cost of replanting
SENT BY:OMB/NRD/AG. BRANCH
; 8- 7-89 ; 3:36PM ;
2023954941->
2023955730:# 4
7) Peanuts, Sugar, Tobacco
0 With FCIC coverage
1
35% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 35%
0 Without FCIC coverage
2
40% loss requirement
65% payment on losses over 40%
7) Purchase of FCIC required for 1990 crops
5
SUBTOTAL
1,047
OFFSETS:
Restrict Damaged Fruit Payments
(15)
The 1988 Disaster Assistance bill provided assistance to
fruit and vegetable producers who experienced loss of
quality because of drought conditions. The payment of
disaster assistance to compensate quality losses instead of
actual production losses vas restricted in the current bill.
No Double Payments on Replanted Acres
(30)
Producers who are able to replant a crop (e.g., a second
planting of cotton to replace a flood-damaged first crop, or
a double crop of soybeans) will have their disaster payments
reduced by the value of the second crop planted.
FCIC Non-Duplication
(10)
Producers are not allowed to receive Federal Crop Insurance
indemnity payments and disaster payments on the same
drought-damaged crop.
Payment Limit
(50)
There is a $100,000 limit on disaster payments received
under the current bill (same as last year).
Canola
(25)
The Disaster bill allows producers to plant a portion of
there permitted crop acreage to canola (a high quality
cilseed which is lowest in cholesterol and esturated fat of
any common oilseed) or other specified grops. This
provision is unrelated to any drought condition, but
achieves savings because acres planted to canola do not
receive deficiency payments.
Post-Harvest Losses
(20)
Earlier provision to make payments for all post-harvest
losses vas restricted to disaster assistance payments for
SENT BY:OMB/NRD/AG. BRANCH
; 8- 7-89 ; 3:36PM ;
2023954941->
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producers who suffer losses due to aflatoxin damage. During
drought conditions crops in storage have an increased
succeptability to aflatoxin.
Total offsets
(150)
TOTAL COST OF BILL:
897
SENT
BY:OMB/NRD/AG. BRANCH ; , 8- 7-89 ; 3:37PM
$
-- I
2023954941-
Lost 35% or more of crop.
9
Tom Hayden = - Hov. 2226
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
ag Comm
HR2467
Sen
Patrick heahy, VT
to Ruhard hugar, and
Noe
E(Kibo) deta Marga TX
Edward 25% madigan all
OK, TX, CO,NE
15%
Winter Wheat 211 million luchels
35% less than 1/2 of normal
poduction
drought-
over 400 million
buohels
Panell
Aq Dept. fax, reviewed
called Cooper.
Wheat, corn, rice. cotton,
(saybean)
def. projut.
difference bet. hibt,
price t target.
In add, to Asast whit
bill
might mention diverospeation
100sem
controls on CAOP that liant of fames can plant
will be
savings in dfricing payments,
Storage cobo, low outlegs. - due to higher
prices
Noney in as. budgets to cover
coven this Discista program.
chamatic reduction in
surpluses over last several +
due to dr., laforos.
loans
CCC 9 mo. loans- crops as
w/ security.
can forfert to UNcle Sam, 1 goes to COCetoch.
prevalent several
Yrs ago.