Welcome to the Oval Office, and thank you all for coming. Ann is new to the Cabinet, but not to the Department she leads, nor the issues that her Department will face. Having served as California's highest agricultural official, and in prominent posts here in Washington, she comes to the job very well prepared. Agriculture represents 13 percent of our nation's economy, and remains central to prosperity at home and competitiveness abroad. In many ways, it is the most crucial of all industries and, yet, the most easily taken for granted.
American farmers are without rival in their ability to produce and compete.
But they face every kind of challenge, from bad weather to closed markets. This administration is going to be a friend to the American farmer. In times of emergency, they will get the assistance they need, when they need it. We will support tax deferred savings accounts, to help farm families guard against down turns. And to keep family farms in the family, we're going to get rid of the death tax.