The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“THE AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the Senate section on pages S8927-S8928 on July 25, 1996.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
THE AGRICULTURE APPROPRIATIONS BILL
Mr. CONRAD. Mr. President, I wish to make a few remarks regarding the fiscal year 1997 appropriations bill for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and related agencies programs, which the Senate passed nearly unanimously yesterday.
This appropriations bill is arguably the most important for my State of North Dakota. Agriculture is my State's No. 1 industry, accounting for over one third of our annual economic activity. This bill provides important funding for many USDA activities important to my State, including valuable research, rural development, and, of course, commodity programs. I want to express my appreciation to the chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee for the excellent work they have performed putting this bill together.
Senator Cochran and Senator Bumpers have an extremely difficult task balancing the needs of many important programs funded by this bill with the very difficult budget situation we are facing as we strive to balance the budget. I know the committee received a great number of requests to provide funding for programs and activities that are important to the agricultural sector of our economy, and I realize they could not possibly fund every program or activity at the levels requested. I do want to express my appreciation for the support the committee has provided for the programs in this bill, especially in light of their overall allocation.
I also want to express my appreciation for the help of the staff of the Appropriations Committee, Becky Davies, Hunt Shipman, Galen Fountain, and Jimmie Reynolds, for their excellent work on behalf of the chairman and ranking member.
Mr. President, at this point I would like to comment briefly on two important programs, and express my desire that the House-Senate conference committee will support the programs at the funding level provided in the Senate bill.
First, I want to express my strong support for the funding provided in the Senate version of this bill for the State mediation grants program within the Department of Agriculture. The Senate Appropriations Committee has provided $2 million for this important program, and I commend subcommittee Chairman Cochran and Senator Bumpers for including funding for this program. Regretfully, the House of Representatives did not provide any funding for the State mediation grants program. It is my hope that Senate and House conferees will realize the benefits of this program and fund the State mediation grants program at $2 million.
The State mediation program was created in response to the agricultural crisis of the late 1980's, and the program continues to be valuable to farmers and ranchers today. Mediation programs enable farmers and ranchers to meet with their creditors or the local Farmers Home Administration office in a confidential atmosphere which promoted civil discussion, mutual understanding, and it most cases, a fair settlement.
The scope of the State mediation grants program was expanded when the United States Department of Agriculture's [USDA] Reorganization Act of 1994 became law. Now, farmers and ranchers in States which have certified State mediation programs may choose mediation in a variety of disputes with USDA, such as conservation compliance, wetland determinations, and grazing rights.
The demand for this mediation program continues to exist. Nineteen States have certified State mediation programs, and USDA is working with more States to establish certified programs. Mediation is a proven method of sensible and economical dispute resolution. In producers' disputes with USDA, mediators provide the voice of reason and help all parties take a realistic approach to the administration of Federal programs and the requirements of compliance.
A group of my colleagues, both Republicans and Democrats, joined me in a letter to Chairman Cochran earlier this year, requesting full funding for the State mediation grants program. It is my hope that Senate and House conferees will realize the benefits of this program and fund the State mediation grants program at the Senate-passed level of $2 million.
Mr. President, I also want to indicate my support for the funding provided in the Senate version of this appropriations bill for the Alternative Agricultural Research and Commercialization [AARC] Corporation, and express my hope that the conferees on this legislation will be able to fund AARC at the Senate-passed level.
This level of funding is justified by the major opportunities for developing markets for alternative agricultural products, and by evidence that the AARC program is providing the necessary bridge from private sector research to commercialization for these products. AARC is a venture capital fund designed to boost farm income by commercializing new uses for agricultural products. Recipients of AARC funds repay AARC's investment, plus a risk charge. AARC's system is revolutionary because it provides actual business financing and hands-
on business and technical assistance, as well as competitive research grants and links with the public and private sectors.
In my view, AARC has only begun to tap the potential for commercializing new products in the domestic market. AARC promotes new industrial uses of our farmers' commodities like fiber board from wheat straw, windshield wiper fluid from ethanol, cat litter from waste peanut hulls, and many others. Finding new uses for our commodities and promoting value-added enterprises in our rural communities are important ways AARC can help promote more jobs, higher incomes, and fresh opportunities in rural America. In AARC's first 3 years in operation, the Center invested
$22.3 million in 54 projects in 28 states, matched by more than $75 million from private partners--a 3 to 1 match.
It is my hope that conferees will realize the benefits of the AARC Corporation, and provide funding at the Senate-passed level of $10 million.
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