E 1164 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks June 6, 1995

in the Lutheran Church, president of the National Lutheran council and president of the

California Lutheran College in Thousand

Oaks. He now holds the title of president

emeritus of California Lutheran university and

continues to maintain his ties to the school.

Dr. Olson’s impressive career accomplishments are rivaled only by a tireless dedication

to his community and extensive record of public service.

He has served on the Ventura County grand

jury, the board of directors of the Conejo Valley Historical Society, the United Fund of Ventura County, various boards of education, the

Cultural Center Planning Committee and has

been a member of the Thousand Oaks Rotary

Club since 1963.

In addition to these numerous professional

and philanthropic commitments, Dr. Olson and

his wife of nearly 60 years, Helen, have raised

two daughter and a son.

In short, Mr. Speaker, I believe that Dr. Raymond M. Olson has truly served his family and

his community through a lifetime of service

and selflessness.

He was recently selected as the 1995 Patriotic Citizen of the Year by the Conejo Valley

chapter of the Military Order of the World

Wars and was presented with the Chapter’s

Silver Patrick Henry Medallion. This recognition was truly appropriate, because one of the

basic tenets of the organization is that it is

better to serve than to be served.

Dr. Olson has lived his life in strict adherence to this belief and has backed up this

opinion with an unparalleled record of action

and dedication to others. I commend him to all

in this body and congratulate him on his

award.

STATEMENT RECOGNIZING

NORENE COLLER THE 1995 REfGION 2 EPA ENVIRONMENTAL

QUALITY AWARD RECIPIENT

HON. SUE W. KELLY OF NEW YORK

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

offer my congratulations to Norene Coller, a

constituent of mine who was recently awarded

an Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]

Environmental Quality Award for region 2,

which includes New York, New Jersey, and

Puerto Rico.

Over the past 20 years, Ms. Coller has devoted herself to improving the quality of the

environment in region 2, and to increasing

public involvement in environmental action. As

a biology teacher in Hyde Park, NY, Ms.

Coller has involved her eighth grade students

in innovative environmental brainstorming exercises. A renowned volunteer of the Dutchess

County Environmental Management Council

[EMC], Ms. Coller has served as the council’s

chairperson since 1982. And under her direction, EMC has fulfilled the needs of the community by formulating a comprehensive agenda to battle the growing problems associated

with hazardous and solid waste management.

Ms. Coller’s energetic direction, as both an educator and public servant, has increased the

quality of the environment of region 2.

Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join me in recognizing the fine achievements of Ms. Coller.

She is to be commended for her dedicated

service to the community, and should be

noted as a true friend of the environment.

HOOSIER FARMERS URGE CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR EXPORTS

fAND RESEARCH

HON. LEE H. HAMILTON OF INDIANA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, June 6, 1995

Mr. HAMILTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to

call attention to the results of my 1995 farm

bill questionnaire. The questionnaire responses indicate most Hoosier farmers are

willing to accept less funding for farm programs, but only in the context of broader

spending reductions. While farm programs

should not be singled out for funding cuts, I

am pleased—but not surprised—that Hoosier

farmers are willing to do their fair share to balance the budget. Among the different agricultural programs, cuts in crop support payments

received the broadest acceptance, with nearly

63 percent favoring reductions.

Hoosier farmers gave their strongest support to funding for promoting U.S. exports and

agricultural research and education. I agree

with this shift in priorities. The 1995 farm bill

should be more market-oriented while preserving our competitive edge in world markets.

Of those responding, 64 percent had participated in Federal farm programs in the last 5

years, 75 percent of whom received 10 percent or less of their yearly farm revenue from

direct payments. Farmers also expressed their

support for limiting farm payments for wealthier farmers, while rejecting proposals to guarantee all farmers a minimum income. Hoosiers

also support Congress’ decision last year to

abolish the Disaster Assistance Program.

I thank the many Hoosiers who answered

the questionnaire, and I appreciate their careful consideration of these important agricultural

issues.

QUESTIONNARIE RESULTS

(The results may not add up to 100 percent

due to rounding and multiple responses.)

1. What general policy direction do you

favor for the 1995 farm bill?

(percent)

Extend current programs ................... 13.3

Extend current programs with

changes ........................................... 37.6

Replace with an alternative .............. 13.7

Eliminate farm programs .................. 35.4

2. Current federal spending on programs

that directly benefit farmers is approximately $18.8 billion per year. The overall

level of funding is likely to decrease for 1996,

and Congress may reorganize spending priorities among the following programs. For

each category please indicate whether you

think spending should be increased, decreased, or kept the same.

[In percent]

Increase Same Decrease

Don’t

know

Commodity support programs .. 8.6 26.1 62.7 2.6 Conservation reserve program .. 8.9 33.8 55.0 2.3 Research and extension ........... 19.5 39.0 39.0 3.4 Other conservation programs ... 1.4 31.1 54.4 5.7 Export promotion activities ....... 27.9 36.5 31.8 3.9 Crop insurance ......................... 10.0 33.5 50.8 5.8 Farm credit programs ............... 9.3 31.1 52.0 7.5

3. If commodity programs must be reduced,

which of the following deficit-cutting options would you favor?

(percent)

Cutting target prices ......................... 12.1

Raise acreage reserve program (ARP)

levels .............................................. 11.0

Raise loan rates ................................. 12.9

Reduce $50,000 payment limitation

cap .................................................. 38.8

Establish income ceiling ................... 48.7

4. Some farm groups have suggested abolishing all current farm programs and using

the funds for an income support level of 70

percent of each farmer’s historical income.

Farmers would then be free to farm according to their interpretation of the markets,

with the assurance that in a bad year they

would receive no less than 70 percent of their

usual income. Do you:

(Percent)

Favor this concept ............................. 21.9

Favor this concept with changes ....... 16.6

Oppose this concept ........................... 60.4

5. The Conservation Reserve Program

[CRP] pays farmers a yearly fee per acre to

keep certain land out of production. The program decreases soil erosion, encourages wildlife and boosts commodity prices by controlling supply. CRP expires this year. Should

Congress:

(Percent)

Continue CRP as is ............................ 26.2

Focus payments on more environmentally sensitive areas ................. 22.6

Phase out CRP ................................... 35.3

Allow more acres in CRP with reduced payments .............................. 15.9

6. There are growing concerns among consumers about the possible effects of pesticide

use on the environment and public health. If

pesticide use should be monitored, which one

of the following proposals would you most

support?

(Percent)

Promote extension programs to curb

pesticide use ................................... 22.5

Establish more controls over pesticide use ........................................ 8.7

Provide more incentives for alternative farming practices ................ 36.1

Do not change current policy ............ 32.8

7. The Ad Hoc Disaster Assistance Program

has been replaced by a much broader Federal

crop insurance program. Instead of irregular

and expensive disaster payments, farmers in

USDA programs will now enroll in a basic

catastrophic insurance policy, with subsidies

to provide more comprehensive insurance.

Which of the following options do you favor?

(Percent)

Keep the current system .................... 33.9

Return to the ad hoc disaster payments .............................................. 5.6

Modify the current crop insurance

system ............................................ 35.7

Eliminate all federal emergency assistance ........................................... 24.8

8. The Uruguay round of the General

Agreement on Tariffs and Trade [GATT] reduces agricultural subsidies in foreign countries. Because U.S. subsidies are already far

lower than our competitors’, other countries

will make larger cuts in their farm programs. Would you favor further reductions in

worldwide farm subsidies, even if some commodity prices and U.S. farm programs might

be reduced?

(Percent)

Yes ..................................................... 49.7

No ...................................................... 19.2

Don’t know ........................................ 31.1

9. Food and nutrition programs are often

described as ‘‘indirect’’ farm programs because they increase food purchases by some

$30 or $60 billion per year. They are also a

source of urban support for the farm bill.

Which of the following food and nutrition

proposals do you most favor?
June 6, 1995 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E 1165

(Percent)

Continue current funding for food

programs ......................................... 40.3

Increase funding for food programs ... 7.2

Reduce funding for food programs ..... 30.7

Eliminate food programs ................... 19.7

Allow cash payments instead of food

programs ......................................... 2.0

10. Have you participated in the Federal

farm programs over the last 5 years?

(percent)

Yes ..................................................... 64.4

No ...................................................... 35.6

11. If yes, about what percentage of your

yearly farm revenue came from Federal farm

programs?

(percent)

0 to 5 percent ..................................... 50.2

5 to 10 percent .................................... 24.9

10 to 15 percent .................................. 8.7

15 to 20 percent .................................. 2.7

20 to 50 percent .................................. 2.7

(percent)

More than 50 percent ......................... 10.9

12. Overall, do you think you are better off,

worse off, or about the same economically as

you were 5 years ago? Better off—21.7 percent; Worse off—35.8 percent; and About the

same—42.4 percent.

13. How do you think you will be doing 5

years in the future? Better off—19.9 percent;

Worse off—37.2 percent; and About the

same—42.9 percent.