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Farm Bill Signing 11/28/90 [OA 7563]
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Speechwriting, White House Office of
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Farm Bill Signing 11/28/90 [OA 7563]
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21
1
6
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
NOVEMBER 27, 1990
INFORMATION
MEMORANDUM FOR THE PRESIDENT
THROUGH:
CHRISS WINSTON and
FROM:
MARK LANGE MA
SUBJECT:
FARM BILL SIGNING CEREMONY
Attached are brief remarks (5-7 minutes, cards) for a Farm
Bill signing ceremony on the steps of the Rose Garden tomorrow,
Wednesday, November 28, at 11:00 a.m. About 100 will attend.
Your remarks emphasize the importance of strong agriculture,
outline highlights of the bill, and close with detailed kudos to
those responsible for its passage.
(Lange/Cawley)
November 27, 1990
7:45 p.m.
[FARM.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FARM BILL SIGNING
THE ROSE GARDEN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1990
11:00 A.M.
[[ Secretary Yeutter, Senators Dote Dole, Leahy OK and Over Lugar; Cochran
Jackie Congressmen Madigan and de la Garza; leaders from the agriculture
NO
community; professionals from the Department of Agriculture.
Welcome, all, to the White House. check pg.3!
There's no question, here or anywhere in America, about
how crucial a strong agricultural sector is to the future of
this country. From the fields to the supermarkets, agriculture
creates one out of every seven jobs in this country -- eight out
of ten of them off the farm --- spreading the seeds of economic
growth across this great nation. America grew to greatness on
the strength of our agriculture -- and for that, I know that all
of us will always be proud of, and thankful for, America's
farmers. III
Our farmers are the best. Period. They out-produce every
other nation in the world by far, and even out-produce some
continents. They're world-champion providers.
We're in the Uruguay Round negotiations, making every effort
to achieve substantial agriculture reform -- which will include
major reductions in trade-distorting barriers. We want to bring
home a fair deal for American farmers. ///
2
And here at home, the legislation I'm about to sign will
help our farmers continue to be leaders in global agricultural
trade.
We've been working closely with the "leadership in Congress
to get a farm bill that keeps our farmers competitive, keeps our
rural areas environmentally sound, and places a floor under farm
income.
I think this bill meets that standard. It's a market
oriented bill that lets farmers make more of their own production
decisions, based on the market rather than on government support
prices. It also encourages the research so crucial to helping
our farmers maintain their global lead in agriculture.
Because farmers have always been important stewards of the
earth, this farm bill will help farmers protect water quality and
wildlife habitat -- and its greater flexibility will boost crop
rotation, in turn helping to control weeds, pests, and erosion.
And there's more in this legislation to protect our
environment. In fact, this is the most environmentally
progressive Farm Bill ever signed. It creates a wetlands
reserve; improves the Conservation Reserve Program; and
encourages urban forestry activities -- including funding for our
America the Beautiful initiative, toward our goal of planting a
billion trees across America.
For the sake of low-income Americans, I'm particularly
pleased with the five-year continuation of the Food Stamp Program
-- the foundation for food assistance, for Americans in need.
3
Congress and this administration worked closely together, to
develop a program that is easier for recipients to use, and
reauthorizes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the
Emergency Food Assistance Program.
So, to the members of Congress who worked so hard to get
did Cochron ran
this bill passed -- to Senators Patrick Leahy and Richard Lugar,
of the Senate Agriculture Committee; to Congressmen Kika de la
Garza and Ed Madigan of the House Agriculture Committee, who
couldn't be with us today -- to all involved, I say, "Well done."
And to Secretary Yeutter and the dedicated people at the
Department of Agriculture who worked so tirelessly with Congress
to get this farm bill written and passed -- you've given this
administration a farm bill of which we can all be very proud.
And to all of you here today from the state A.S.C.S.
offices, who will be working so hard to implement this bill in
the coming years -- thank you for taking on a crucial task.
You're helping assure a bright future for farming in America.
And now, let me sign this legislation into law.
# # #
Contact
[NAME DEP'T,
PHONE
Kelly Shipp
USDA
447-4623
Gary Blumenthal
USDA
447-3631
Anb
Julis Katz
USTR
395-5114
BRIAN
tolt Leg. Affris
456 6473
STEVE Waydman
Asst ; Sam Brownback
FACTCHECK COPY
(Lange/Cawley)
November 27, 1990
2:15 p.m.
[FARM.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FARM BILL SIGNING
THE ROSE GARDEN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1990
[TIME] 11:00?
[[
Acknowledgments.
Secretary Yeutter, Senator Dole.
leaders from the agriculture community; professionals from the
Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Stabilization and
Conservation Service. Welcome, all, to the White House -- and to
Washington.
You know, the way this town operates sort of reminds you of
how they used to weigh pigs in my home state of Texas.
They'd put the pig on one side of the balance. Then, they'd
look around until they found a rock that weighed the same as the
pig. Then, they'd guess the weight of the rock. III ]]
Well, there's no question at all about how crucial strong
agriculture is to the future of America. From the fields to the
farms,
supermarkets, agriculture creates one out of every six 7 jobs in
eight
this country -- nine out of ten of them off the farm -- spreading
the seeds of economic growth across this great nation. America
they
MANSI
grew to greatness on the strength of our agriculture -- and for
that, I know that all of us will always be proud of, and thankful
for, America's farmers. III
John tix2813
Our farmers are the best. Period. They out-produce every
other nation in the world by far, and even out-produce 50mg entire
continents. They're world-champion providers.
2
Dec 3-7
Brownback
Right now we're looking to the trade negotiators in Geneva
to bring about substantial agricultural trade reform among the
nations. And here at home, the legislation I'm about to
sign will help our farmers continue to lead as they face growing
global competition.
We've been working closely with the leadership in Congress
suggested
to get a farm bill that keeps our farmers competitive, keeps our
Remanes
rural areas environmentally sound, and places a floor under farm
income.
I think this bill meets that standard. It's a market
oriented bill that lets farmers make more of their own production
decisions, based on the market rather than on government support
prices. It also encourages the research so crucial to helping
our farmers maintain their global lead in agriculture.
Because farmers have always been important stewards of the
earth, this farm bill will help farmers protect water quality and
wildlife habitat -- and its greater flexibility will boost crop
rotation, in turn helping to control weeds, pests, and erosion.
And there's more in this legislation to protect our
environment -- the creation of wetlands reserve; improvement of
the Conservation Reserve Program; and encouraging urban forestry
activities.
For the sake of low income Americans, I'm particularly
U
pleased with the five year continuation of the Food Stamp Program
-- the foundation for food assistance, for Americans in need.
Congress and this administration worked closely together, to
3
develop a program that is easier for recipients to use, and
X
X
X
X
x
Agreement
reauthorizes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the
X
Y
X
Emergency Food Assistance Program.
So, to the members of Congress who worked so hard to get
this bill passed -- to Senators X Patrick Leahy and Richard X Lugar,
x
X
Y
of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Congressmen Kika de la Garza
X
X
and Ed Madigan of the House Agriculture Committee -- to all of
you, I say, "Well done."
To Secretary Yeutter and the dedicated people at the
11
Department of Agriculture who worked so tirelessly to craft this
farm bill -- you've given this administration a farm bill of
which we can all be very proud.
And to all of you who will be working so hard to implement
this bill in the coming years -- thank you for taking on a
crucial task. You're helping assure a bright future for farming
in America.
And now, let me sign this legislation into law.
# # #
SENT BY:The White House
11-27-90 ; 3:55PM ;
CABINET AFFAIRS-
2024566218:# 1
THE WHITE HOUSE
WASHINGTON
Office of Cabinet Affairs
Fax Transmission Cover
TO:
Caroline Cawley
LOCATION:
FAX NUMBER: 6218
FROM:
Claire A. Sechler
Number of pages to follow: 3
Office of Cabinet Affairs
Telephone:
(202) 456-2800
Fax:
(202) 456-2223
Comments:
Extended Page
1.1
SENT BY:The White House
11-27-90 ; 3:55PM ;
CABINET AFFAIRS-
2024566218;# 2
SENT BY:The TICKET CENTER
11-27-90 ; 4:40PM ; LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-
CABINET AFFAIRS:# 1
Claire:
For your briefing paper, following are the Members of Congress
which are expected to attend the Farm Bill:
Senator George Mitchell (D-ME), Majority Leader (pending)
Senator Bob Dole (R-XS), Republican Leader
Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman, Senate Agriculture
Committee
Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN), Ranking Republican, Senate
Agriculture Committee
Congressman Tom Foley (D-WA), Speaker of the House (pending)
Thanks,
Becky
Extended Page
2.1
SENT BY:The White House
11-27-90 ; 3:56PM ;
CABINET AFFAIRS-
2024566218:# 3
11/27/90
13:48
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY; USDA
NO.813
P003/005
November 27, 1990
6218
1:40 p.m.
FARM BILL SIGNING CEREMONY
Corn
National Corn Growers Association
Corn Refiners Association
Cotton
National Cotton Council of America
Dairy
National Milk Producers Federation
Ice Cream Manufacturers Association
National Cheese and Butter Institute
Mid-America Dairymen Inc.
Feedgrains
North American Export Grain Association
National Grain and Feed Association
National Grain Trade Council
American Feed Industry Association
Livestock
National Cattlemen's Association
American Meat Institute
National Pork Producers
Overall
American Farm Bureau
National Council of Farmer Cooperatives
National Farmers Organization
National Farmers Union
The National Grange
Poultry
National Broiler Council
United Egg Producers
Rice
The Rice Millers Association
Rice Growers
Soybeans
American Soybean Association
National Ollseed Processors Association
Extended Page
3,1
SENT BY:The White House
11-27-90 ; 3:56PM ;
CABINET AFFAIRS-
2024566218:# 4
11/27/90
13:49
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, USDA
NO.813
P004/005
Sugar
Sweetener Users Association
American Sugar Alliance
Wheat
National Association of Wheat Growers
American Bakers Association
Independent Bakers Association
Other
United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable
Farm Credit Council
National Agricultural Chemicals Association
National Forest Products Association
The Fertilizer Institute
American Public Welfare Association (Bertini)
Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (Bertini)
Food Research Action Council (Bertini)
Holland and Knight (Bertini)
National Wildlife Federation (Moseley)
Sterra Club (Moseley)
National Association of Conservation Districts (Moseley)
National Association of State Conservation Agencies (Moseley)
American Association of State Universities & Land Grant Colleges (Hess)
Extended Page
4,
SENT BY:The White House
11-27-90 ; 3:57PM ;
CABINET AFFAIRS-
2024566218:# 5
11/27/90
13:49
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY, USDA
NO.813
P005/005
USDA FOLKS
SECRETARY YEUTTER
CROWDER
GARDNER
CAMPBELL
SHIPP
CENSKY
BAILEY
HESS
SMITH
BERTINI
KISLAK
CONWAY
COLLINS
WEBBER
LINDEN
STEELE
MADSON
VENEMAN
SUMNER
BJERKE
MRS. YEUTTER
BLUMENTHAL
WITTMEYER
Extended Page
5.1
(Lange/Cawley)
November 27, 1990
2:15 p.m.
[FARM.DOC]
PRESIDENTIAL REMARKS: FARM BILL SIGNING
THE ROSE GARDEN
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 1990
[TIME] 11:00
[[ Acknowledgments
Secretary Yeutter, Senator Dole
leaders from the agriculture community; professionals from the
Department of Agriculture and the Agriculture Stabilization and
Conservation Service. Welcome, all, to the White House -- and to
Washington.
You know, the way this town operates sort of reminds you of
how they used to weigh pigs in my home state of Texas.
They'd put the pig on one side of the balance. Then, they'd
look around until they found a rock that weighed the same as the
pig. Then, they'd guess the weight of the rock. III ]]
Well, there's no question at all about how crucial strong
agriculture is to the future of America. From the fields to the
I
supermarkets, agriculture creates one out of every six jobs in
40f5=80f 10 of 10
this country -- nine out of ten of them off the farm -- spreading
the seeds of economic growth across this great nation. America
grew to greatness on the strength of our agriculture -- and for
that, I know that all of us will always be proud of, and thankful
for, America's farmers. III
Our farmers are the best. Period. They out-produce every
other nation in the world by far, and even out-produce entire
continents. They're world-champion providers.
2
Right now, we're looking to the trade negotiators in Geneva
to bring about substantial agricultural trade reform among the
GATT nations. And here at home, the legislation I'm about to
sign will help our farmers continue to lead as they face growing
global competition.
We've been working closely with the leadership in Congress
to get a farm bill that keeps our farmers competitive, keeps our
rural areas environmentally sound, and places a floor under farm
income.
I think this bill meets that standard. It's a market
oriented bill that lets farmers make more of their own production
decisions, based on the market rather than on government support
prices. It also encourages the research so crucial to helping
our farmers maintain their global lead in agriculture.
Because farmers have always been important stewards of the
earth, this farm bill will help farmers protect water quality and
wildlife habitat -- and its greater flexibility will boost crop
rotation, in turn helping to control weeds, pests, and erosion.
And there's more in this legislation to protect our
environment -- the creation of wetlands reserve; improvement of
the Conservation Reserve Program; and encouraging urban forestry
activities.
For the sake of low income Americans, I'm particularly
pleased with the five year continuation of the Food Stamp Program
-- the foundation for food assistance, for Americans in need.
Congress and this administration worked closely together, to
3
develop a program that is easier for recipients to use, and
reauthorizes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the
Emergency Food Assistance Program.
So, to the members of Congress who worked so hard to get
this bill passed -- to Senators Patrick Leahy and Richard Lugar,
of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Congressmen Kika de la Garza
and Ed Madigan of the House Agriculture Committee -- to all of
you, I say, "Well done."
To Secretary Yeutter and the dedicated people at the
Department of Agriculture who worked so tirelessly to craft this
farm bill -- you've given this administration a farm bill of
which we can all be very proud.
And to all of you who will be working so hard to implement
this bill in the coming years -- thank you for taking on a
crucial task. You're helping assure a bright future for farming
in America.
And now, let me sign this legislation into law.
# # #
RESIDENT
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
THE OF THE CEFICE UNITED BUDGET OF ONE HAME
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
0
DATE: 11/26/90
TO:
Chriss Winston
90 OCT. 26 PS: 27
FROM: ROBERT E. GRADY
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
NATURAL RESOURCES, ENERGY AND SCIENCE
A lot of this
material might he
very useful to whomever
is writin The speech
for the farm bill
signing.
BrbG.
FROM: USDA OBPA
TO:
202 395 5691
OCT 29, 1990 4:17PM #923 P.01
United States
STATE DEPARTMENTOP
Office of Budget
Department of
Washington,
and Program
Agriculture
D.C.
Analysis
20250
FAX TRANSMITTAL
S
DATE: 10-29-90
TIME: 3:10 P.m
TO:
RON PETERSON
FROM:
W.SCOTTS9EELE
TOTAL NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET: 4
RECIPIENT'S FAX NO.:
395-5691
RECIPIENT'S TELEPHONE NO.:
COMMENTS:
NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE ALL OF THE PAGES PLEASE CALL AS SOON
AS POSSIBLE.
OUR TELEPHONE NO.:
447-3396
FAX NUMBER:
(202)475-4635 (Rm. 102-E, Admin. bldg.)
SENDER:
D. ADAMS
EXT.:
USDA's Original Signing
1
Statement of 10/29/90
FROM:USDA OBPA
TO:
202 395 5691
OCT 29, 1990 4:17PM #923 P.02
FARM BILL SIGNING STATEMENT
I'm pleased to be able to sign this piece of legislation, The Food, Agriculture,
Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990, into law today. Because agriculture is important
to all of us, it's critical that we have a farm bill that keeps our farmers competitive,
environmentally sound, and places a floor under farm income. I think this bill meets that
standard. It's a market oriented bill that permits farmers to make more of their own
production decisions based on the market rather than on government support prices.
America's farmers are the best. Period. They out-produce every other nation in the
world, by far. They even out-produce entire continents. Although our farmers account
for only three-tenths of one percent of the world's agricultural labor force, the United
States produces 10 percent of the world's food grains, one-quarter of the world's feed
grains and beef, and almost a third of the world's poultry. America's farmers are world
champion producers, and this legislation will help them to continue to lead as they face
increasing global competition. It will Improve their international competitiveness by
continuing a market-oriented approach, and giving them greater production flexibility to
meet changing market conditions.
While American agriculture has never been more productive, demands on
agriculture have never been greater. Farmers have always been stewards of the
environment, and now they are called upon to be leaders in the effort for a cleaner
environment. This bill will help farmers protect water quality and wildlife habitat, and its
greater flexibility will boost crop rotation, which will in turn help control weeds, pests, and
erosion.
1988
3.26dir
Comm Burean ag = 3.2 of 105-6 M workers total workforce
1.6B main food
311 6.2 retailting cat adrine 15.16total* call. Andy Mitwsi
1.0B transp
FROM: USDA OBPA
TO:
202 395 5691
OCT 29, 1990 4:18PM #923 P.03
-2-
And there is more in this legislation to protect our environment: the creation of
wetlands reserve; improvement of the Conservation Reserve Program; and encouraging
urban forestry activities.
I am particularly pleased with the 5-year continuation of the Food Stamp Program.
It is the foundation for food assistance for low income Americans. Congress and the
Administration worked together to develop a program that is easier for its recipients to
use and reauthorizes the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Emergency
Food Assistance Program.
Research is also essential to help our farmers maintain their global lead in
agriculture. We're grateful that the bill endorses the expansion of agriculture research
under my National Research Initiative.
America's farmers and agricultural industry are responsible for much of the
economic well-being of our nation. Agriculture is America's largest enterprise. Our food
and fiber system accounts for 16 percent of the total gross national product. Agriculture
is the nation's largest employer. There are about 20 million people working in some
phase of agriculture -- from the fields to the supermarkets. That is about one out of every
six jobs in America, and 90 percent of these jobs are off-the-farm, helping to expand
wealth across our nation. America grew to greatness on a bedrock of agriculture; and
for that, we'll always be proud of, and thankful for, our farmers.
Farmers have experienced the burden huge federal deficits place on their ability
to borrow money, limiting their ability to grow with the marketplace and survive slow
times. Part of the success of this farm bill is how the budget conferees found a way to
FROM:USDA OBPA
TO:
202 395 5691
OCT 29, 1990 4:18PM #923 P.04
-3-
cut the deficit while creating new opportunities for farmers to earn income through
increased flexibility and competitiveness in the marketplace.
Now, the onus is on the trade negotiators in Geneva to achieve substantial ag
reform among the GATT nations.
So, to our farmers, for their unselfish cooperation in helping this bill to pass, I say
again: "Thank you."
To the members of Congress who worked so hard to get this bill passed -- Senator
Patrick Leahy, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee; Chairman of the House
Agriculture Committee Kika de la Garza; and their Republican counterparts, Senator
Richard Lugar and Congressman Ed Madigan -- to them I say: "Well done."
To Secretary Yeutter, and the dedicated and tireless people at the Department of
Agriculture who care so much about America's farmers and farm industries, and who
worked so tirelessly to help craft this farm bill: "You've given this Administration a farm bill
of which we can all be very proud."
To the American people, who trust their government to work together to forward
the common interest of all Americans, I'm proud to report to you today: "Your faith is well-
founded. The system did, indeed work."
Now, before I put pen to paper to sign this legislation into law, I ask God to bless
this farm bill; may He bless the members of our government who put this bill together and
who are charged with governing this great land; and, above all, may God bless the United
States of America.
*
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Orlando, Florida)
For Immediate Release
January 8, 1990
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
TO THE AMERICAN FARM BUREAU
Orlando Convention Center
Orlando, Florida
10:47 A.M. EST
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all very much. Thank you,
Dean. (Applause.) Well, my thanks to my friend, Dean Kleckner, Farm
Bureau President, for that warm introduction. We're grateful for his
leadership on that National Economic Commission, and the tremendous
support of you, the members of the Farm Bureau. My thanks, too, to
Bob Delano out here, former Farm Bureau President, whose leadership
and counsel have been so helpful to me. I'm happy to have my
distinguished -- our distinguished Secretary of Agriculture Clayton
Yeutter here at my side, doing a superb job for us. (Applause.) And
I know you'll hear tomorrow from Ambassador Carla Hills. You talk
about two people who understand the need to open up foreign markets
to U.S. agricultural products -- these two are tough and they are the
tops -- and we're grateful to both of them. (Applause.) My friend,
Bob Martinez, Governor Martinez, it's always a pleasure to see you
and visit your beautiful state.
And, of course, I'm very proud of the next two -- great
to see Senator Connie Mack here -- a new Senator making a national
impression, I'll tell you. And next to him, or right near him --
second from the end -- my close friend, and a long-time supporter,
Bill McCollum. Two outstanding voices for Florida in our Nation's
Capital. I wish we had a lot more like them, I'll tell you.
(Applause.)
I just returned from a little fishing and hunting over
the holidays in Texas and Alabama, and I heard a story about the time
that Mark Twain spent three weeks fishing in Maine after the fishing
season had closed. On the way home, aboard the train, he told the
man seated next to him about all the fish he'd caught. Finally, Mark
Twain asked, "By the way, who are you, sir?" "I'm the State Game
Warden," replied the man. "Who are you?" And after a long pause,
Twain said, "Well, to be perfectly truthful, I'm the biggest damn
liar in the whole United States." (Laughter.)
I won't bore you with my fishing stories because I could
reminisce with you all day long on this subject. It's a pleasure to
be here because, for 71 years now, the American Farm Bureau has
helped American farmers -- over three million member families -- to
become the best in the world. And farming is a proud and noble part
of our history. In fact, Thomas Jefferson himself wrote that
"Agriculture is the most useful of the occupations of man.
Today, nearly two centuries later, I'm here to give my
first major address of the new decade. And I'm proud to begin this
decade by talking to you about the future of farming in this country.
But as we look forward, it's also important to reflect upon the past
and what farmers have gone through, both good and bad.
You -- America's farmers -- deserve the credit for the
rebound in U.S. farming. And I salute you again. I salute the board
of directors up here -- all farmers -- who are leading this
MORE
- 2 -
outstanding organization. You've been through the worst droughts and
national disasters of the 1980s, and you've survived tough economic
times. But you've worked with your minds and your hands to beat
adversity with a kind of can-do commitment that's been the hallmark
of American farming for generations.
Right here in Florida we're seeing some of that can-do
attitude as you face --- Florida farmers -- as you face the terrible
loss of the citrus and winter vegetable crop. On the way down on Air
Force One, Bob Martinez gave me the details of Florida's losses. But
let me tell you -- I'm sure you've heard this from Clayton -- you
will not be facing this alone. Clayton and I have talked, and I've
asked the Secretary to personally oversee our efforts to provide
assistance and I know you can count on the USDA to be in there
fighting with you. (Applause.)
It was a little over four years ago -- seems like just
yesterday -- but a little over four years ago that the 1985 Farm Bill
became law. Admittedly, the cost has been high, but it has worked.
Since then, the news has been good. Surpluses have declined
dramatically, and most of our good land has been brought back into
production. Net farm income reached a record level last year, and
the share of income that came from market sales continued to grow.
The farm credit situation has greatly improved, bringing more
financial stability to rural America.
As we face the future, the outlook is even better.
Through sound fiscal policies and wise management of our resources,
common-sense attitudes -- and, God willing, good weather -- we can
succeed. Together, we will keep rural America strong and American
agriculture thriving in the 1990s. (Applause.)
But to do that -- and Dean Kleckner alluded to this in
his introductory remarks -- to do that, our first priority must be to
keep the American economy growing. That means fiscal and monetary
policies that make sense. Today, one of the best things we can do
for farmers is to keep the interest rates low, and that is exactly
what we intend to do. (Applause.
This year, we will work with Congress on the 1990 Farm
Bill. Getting a good farm bill through Congress is like milking a
bull. (Laughter.) But I can tell you that to be competitive, we
must have market-oriented farm policies that allow producers more
flexibility to decide what crops to grow -- (applause) -- and that
because American farmers then can do what Americans do best: compete.
At the same time, we've got to maintain a safety net to
protect farmers from conditions beyond their control. But
market-oriented farm policies are only a part of the agricultural
picture. It is absolutely essential that we expand markets and
enhance productivity. We've got to assure the public that America's
food is safest in the world, and we've got to protect our precious
environment.
America's farmers -- I know this -- America's farmers
understand the importance of a clean environment. Many of you here
today come from farms that have been handed down from parents and
grandparents. You know that to protect the land is to protect not
just your livelihood, but your heritage.
We must recognize that productive agriculture and a sound
environment can be compatible -- especially in terms of water
quality. The administration has initiated a concentrated five-year
effort to work with the nation's farmers to protect our groundwater
from contamination by fertilizers and pesticides. We'll spend close
to a third of a billion dollars on research and support for farmers
to stop contamination of our land and water. We must keep your good
land in business -- without unreasonable burdens -- but we must also
keep it good land. I am counting on your leadership as we work to
expand farm productivity while safeguarding our precious environment.
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We must also make sure that all Americans are confident
in the safety of our food supply. My administration is working hard
to develop legislation to protect the food supply without
overwhelming the agricultural industry.
But in the coming decade, the American farmer must have a
level playing field in the international trade arena, too. And the
way to fight trade barriers is through negotiation, not reciprocal
protectionism. I know that many Farm Bureau leaders serve on the
Agricultural Trade Policy Advisory Committee, and how important this
issue is to you. Our administration has just made a bold proposal in
the Uruguay round that would phase out export subsidies in five years
and other trade-distorting practices in 10 years. But any agreement
we sign -- and I can guarantee you this -- any agreement that we sign
will be an agreement that is also good for American agriculture. You
see, our goal is simple: open markets and free trade. (Applause.)
And it's beginning to work. International markets are
improving. The value of U.S. agricultural exports has increased for
the third year in a row. And sales to developing nations -- the
dynamic markets of the future -- were up 13 percent last year.
We also support expanding our ties with Eastern Europe
and the Soviet Union to open even more markets. Earlier this winter,
Secretary Clayton Yeutter led a presidential delegation to Poland to
determine how American know-how can help Poland shift from that
controlled ecomomy to a market economy. It was a wonderful mission,
and we're forging new partnerships between our agricultural
industries and Eastern Europe's emerging economies. But in today's
global economy, America must also become more competitive through
increased production, new uses for our products, and expanded markets
at home. And SO this administration supports greater research into
biotechnology for improved productivity and we're encouraging
alternative uses of farm products like ethanol and other new fuels
and fuel additives.
Just a few months ago, we proposed the expansion of the
producer tax credit for alternative fuels to include ETBE. This will
mean more markets for growers and cleaner air for all Americans.
But for us to reap the full benefits of a competitive
economy we must cut the capital gains tax rate. (Applause.) With
our capital gains tax proposal, we can help keep American agriculture
dynamic and prosperous. And with continued economic growth, we can
keep rural America going strong. Passage of our capital gains
proposal, which would apply to the sale of farmland, will be one of
my top priorities in this legislative year. Your support has been
instrumental in the fight for the capital gains cut. And the fight
isn't over yet. And I am sick and tired of the demagogues who call
this a tax cut for the rich. It means jobs, it means savings, and it
is good for all Americans. (Applause.)
And so the Farm Bill, our international trade
negotiations, and a capital gains tax cut will be high on my agenda
for this great nation. Because what's good for agriculture is good
for America. (Applause.)
Let me talk just a little about some of the challenge
facing all America. Like people everywhere in this great country,
you work hard, you sacrifice to make good lives for yourselves and
your children. Every one of us dreams of excellence in education,
economic opportunity for all citizens, and a clean and healthy
environment and safe, drug-free streets, schools, and workplaces.
Together we are working to build a better America.
But much remains to be done, and you're in the forefront.
Rural' America cares about education. You know, some say improving
our schools is something for federal money and Washington bureaucrats
to handle. And I know you don't believe that. Whether it's a
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classroom on a rolling prairie in Nebraska or a busy New York street,
improving education is a national challenge.
Last September, I met with the nation's governors at the
education summit in Virginia to begin promoting educational
restructuring in every state and determining national goals to attain
excellence. The administration has sent the Educational Excellence
Act to the Congress, and we want, and America needs, action on it
soon. (Applause.)
Rural America is also battling the ravages of violence
and drugs. Every citizen has the right to a safe home, the right to
freedom from fear. Early in my administration, we sent the
comprehensive Violent Crime Control Act to the Congress. We proposed
measures to improve enforcement and prosecution, and strenghen
current laws to put the drug dealers behind bars and keep them there.
This critical crime legislation has been sitting on Capitol Hill for
months. Brave citizens everywhere are standing up to crime. And
it's a time for Congress to act quickly and responsibly because the
war on drugs and crime will not wait. (Applause.) And I might say
parenthetically, thank God we've got Bill McCollum in a key role in
the House and Connie Mack -- Senator. I again want to mention that
the support that we are getting for them and others like them for
this approach I've outlined.
Let me just add a little more on our relationship with
Capitol Hill. When I took office -- Inaugural Address -- I put my
hand out to the Congress, to the Democractic majority, and reminded
us all that the American people did not send us to Washington to
bicker. As I've said, we sent proposals to Congress on clean air,
combating crime, capital gains. Responsible proposals. Carefully
thought-out. Based on principles. Finally, rural America -- let me
just finish. Now a year has passed. A new year has become. And
it's time -- it is past time -- for Congress to tend to some of the
unfinished business.
Let me say to Congress as it comes back in a couple of
weeks now: The hand of cooperation is once again extended. And I
would only add -- America wants it done right. America wants it done
responsibly. And America wants it done now. (Applause.)
We are always willing to listen to ideas and
alternatives. But we are not willing to compromise on fundamental
principles.
Finally, rural America does believe in liberty and
democracy. Freedom-loving people everywhere are following the news
reports from behind what used to be called the Iron Curtain. In
fact, I read that the first thing to sell out in West Berlin on the
day the Wall came down wasn't TVs or denim jeans. It was fresh
fruit. In Romania, citizens knew freedom had arrived because, for
the first time in many years, they saw food on the grocery store
shelves. We reap what we sow, says the Bible, and what a bountiful
harvest we are witnessing. It is a harvest of joy and opportunity
that we will continue to support and encourage every step of the way.
And let me add -- this harvest is not just happening in
Eastern Europe. Let's help the countries to our south so that this
hemisphere will be the first totally democratic hemisphere in the
entire world. (Applause.)
I know I don't have to tell you this, but let me just
tell you from the bottom of a grateful heart that I am mighty proud
of. our courageous fighting men who have helped Panama. And the joy
shown by the people of Panama says it all right there in the streets
of Panama city. (Applause.) And so as I conclude my comments to the
Farm Bureau, I can tell you I am optimistic about the coming decade,
for I believe in the wisdom of our policies; I believe in the
providence of the Almighty; and most importantly, I believe in the
tough resiliency and the moral strength of the American people.
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Throughout our history, farmers -- many in this room -- have
weathered disaster. And each time, like steel forged in a white-hot
furnace, you are stronger with each testing by fire.
In the "Dirty '30s" swirling clouds of dust ruined
hundreds of farmsteads on the Great Plains. Many of the Dust Bowl
farmers stayed on the land, and today, their descendants have
invented conservation techniques to catch and preserve the winter
snows and the spring rains to carry their crops through the hot
plains summer. A triumph of human courage and ingenuity. In the
1970s, an unheard-of disease, the Southern Corn Leaf Blight, swept
through the fields of the Midwest. In a few days, the tall, green,
tasseled corn was devastated as if someone had taken a blowtorch to
it. Over that winter, scientists and farmers developed resistant
corn varieties in time for the next spring planting. A national food
disaster was stopped dead in its tracks. A triumph of faith, science
and inventiveness.
And today, at the daybreak of the new decade, I want
rural America to share in the promise and prosperity of our great
nation. And in the months and years to come, as we approach the
horizon of the new century, may we all share in the opportunity and
optimism of a world at peace.
Thank you and God bless the United States of America.
Thank you very, very much. (Applause.)
END
11:11 A.M. EST