Larry Combest

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 609) to amend the Export Apple and Pear Act to limit the applicability of the Act to apples.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on H.R. 882, the bill just passed.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill just considered.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Etheridge) for pointing out the fact that, while so many people in this country think the economy is doing so well, it is obvious those who say that have not been in the farm communities recently. There are some very, very difficult times ongoing there.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Barrett), chairman of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Resource Conservation, and Credit of the House Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I bring to the floor a bill, H.R. 882. This bill costs nothing but will provide immediate relief to the Nation's farmers and ranchers who are today experiencing a serious credit crunch brought on by natural disasters and low commodity prices. I am pleased to be joined by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Stenholm), the ranking Democrat on the Committee on Agriculture, as well as the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Barrett), the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Minge), and a number of other Members in introducing this measure. Our bill is simple and straightforward. Currently, funds for guaranteed ownership loans are exhausted in more than half of the States. Money for guaranteed operating loans with interest assistance has dried up in most of the Corn Belt States and several others as well. There is simply no money currently available for those farmers desperately needing credit assistance now. Meanwhile, there is approximately $470 million in loan guarantee funds sitting in the Department of Agriculture that has gone unused and will continue to go unused for another month unless Congress acts. By law, these funds are tied up until April 1, 1999, for the Beginning Farmers and Ranchers program, a worthwhile program that is nonetheless not being tapped at this time. This bill simply releases these unused funds one month early to enable the Secretary of Agriculture to meet the very immediate need for guaranteed loans in farm communities. Mr. Speaker, while this bill is very important, I do want to advise my colleagues that it does nothing to eliminate or in any way diminish the tremendous need for the supplemental appropriations for agriculture requested last week by the President. This bill is only a stopgap measure to temporarily fill an immediate need that simply cannot wait for a supplemental appropriation. In short, the demand for credit is now. As many of my colleagues know, American farmers and ranchers borrow more money every year than most us will borrow in a lifetime, only to risk it all. Sometimes the gamble pays off, and sometimes it does not. Last year, for many of America's farmers, it did not. As a result, cash-strapped farmers who have already made their planting decisions for the coming growing season desperately require cash in-hand right now to make another go of it. This is the immediate short-term problem our bill would address if enacted quickly. Again, this bill does not cost the U.S. Treasury any additional money. The funds in question have already been appropriated. In addition, I want my colleagues to know that this measure enjoys the support of the administration and a broad bipartisan support in the Congress. Mr. Speaker, for these reasons, I urge immediate passage of H.R. 882. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 882) to nullify any reservation of funds during fiscal year 1999 for guaranteed loans under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act for qualified beginning farmers or ranchers, and for other purposes.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, it is my distinct privilege to rise today to honor one of Texas', and our nation's, most accomplished artists, Glenna Goodacre, on her commendation as the 1999 College of Human Sciences Distinguished Leader by Texas Tech University. A native of Lubbock, Texas, Mrs. Goodacre is perhaps best known for her work as the sculptor of the Vietnam Women's Memorial at the Vietnam ``Wall'' in Washington, D.C. Since its installation on the Mall in 1993, her bronze depiction of nurses tending a wounded soldier has been appreciated by millions of visitors to our nation's capital. For more than twenty years before creating the women's memorial, she was well known and respected for her sculptural figures, especially her interesting compositions of active children, which continue to be her favorite subjects. Glenna also enjoyed a successful career as a painter for many years before creating her first three dimensional work. Glenna Goodacre's pieces are in numerous private, corporate, national and international collections. She has more than 40 bronze portraits in public collections, including sculptures of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Barbara Jordon, General Henry ``Hap'' Arnold, and Katherine Anne Porter. Her bronze sculpture of President Ronald Reagan stands nearly eight feet tall and graces both the Reagan Presidential Library and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. In 1998, Mrs. Goodacre was selected by the U.S. Mint as one of only a handful of artists to submit designs for a new Sacagawea dollar coin for the year 2000. Her portrayal of Sacagawea with her infant son was chosen, by popular demand, to be featured on the obverse of the coin. She was also selected as the winning sculptor for the proposed Irish Famine Memorial to be installed in downtown Philadelphia some time after the year 2000. Her work is widely exhibited and has won awards from both the National Sculpture Society and the National Academy of Design. She was named an American Art Master by American Artist Magazine and has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from her alma mater, Colorado College as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. Knowing Glenna and having visited her studios in Santa Fe, New Mexico, I am certain this latest honor will hold a special place in her heart. It is my great privilege to recognize Glenna Goodacre for this achievement and the outstanding contributions she continues to make through her art.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I am most honored to rise today to extend my sincere congratulations to Ms. Marsha Sharp, head coach of the Texas Tech University Lady Raiders basketball team, for being inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame. Coach Sharp was selected as one of only seven women to receive this prestigious honor, which I know she richly deserves. Coach Sharp is in her 17th season as head coach of the Texas Tech Lady Raiders. Her professionalism, love of the game, remarkable coaching talents, and winning attitude have left her only five victories short of 400 victories while at Texas Tech, and a record of 395-128. Coach Sharp is widely respected by her players, her colleagues, and Lady Raider fans. Throughout her career at Texas Tech, Coach Sharp has been recognized for her outstanding coaching abilities by other associations. She was the 1998 Big 12 Coach of the Year in women's basketball. In 1993, the Texas Tech Lady Raiders forged ahead to bring home the coveted NCAA national championship title, and Coach Sharp, the force behind the success, was named the National Coach of the Year in 1993 by the Women's Basketball News Service and the Columbus, Ohio Touchdown Club. She received the same honor in 1994 from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association. While Texas Tech University was still in the Southwest Conference, she was named the women's basketball coach of the year an impressive seven times. Away from the game, Coach Sharp has served on the WBCA Board of Directors, Converse Coach of the Year Committee, Kodak All-American Selection Committee, NCAA Regional Selection Committee, Southwest Conference Tournament Committee, and Texas Girls Basketball Association Committee. She presently serves as the director for the Lady Raider Basketball Camps, and is actively involved with Special Olympic Celebrity fund raisers and the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon. Coach Sharp is dedicated not only to her team and Texas Tech University, but to the entire Lubbock community. It is with great pleasure that I recognize and congratulate Ms. Marsha Sharp on here unsurpassed achievements and contributions that have earned her the distinct honor of being inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to submit for printing in the Congressional Record, pursuant to Rule XI, clause 2(a) of the Rules of the House, a copy of the Rules of the Committee on Agriculture, which were adopted at the organizational meeting of the Committee on this day. Appendix A of the Committee Rules will include excerpts from the Rules of the House relevant to the operation of the Committee. Appendix B will include relevant excerpts from the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. In the interests of minimizing printing costs, Appendices A and B are omitted from this submission.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 169) to amend the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, to expand the pilot investigation for the collection of information regarding prices paid for the procurement of cattle and sheep for slaughter and of muscle cuts of beef and lamb to include swine and muscle cuts of swine, as amended.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins), who has a very intensive interest in agriculture and is always very helpful on agricultural issues. (Mr. WATKINS asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht), a very valued member of the Committee on Agriculture.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham), the author of this proposal, and again, one of the strong advocates of American agriculture.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 169 is a simple bill and would simply add hogs and pork product to the pilot investigation on beef and lamb prices that was authorized last fall as a part of the omnibus appropriation. I would like to thank and commend my colleague on the Committee on Appropriations and on the Subcommittee on Agriculture who is very instrumental in agriculture policy, the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Latham), for introducing this legislation and for calling for its swift adoption. Many of our colleagues are aware that livestock prices, particularly those received by lamb and beef producers, have been distressingly low for some time. The pilot investigation that was included in last year's omnibus appropriations bill is a relatively nonintrusive way to shed some light on the workings of these complex markets. Last fall, when the omnibus bill was being crafted, the pork producers declined to be included in the USDA pilot investigation. However, recent and drastic declines in live hog prices have led pork producers to reconsider and ultimately reverse that decision. Thus, H.R. 169 will simply include pork in the ongoing pilot investigation. Tomorrow, the House Committee on Agriculture will conduct a hearing on livestock prices during which we will consider testimony outlining the current market conditions for beef, lamb and pork. I hope that in this hearing we will be able to illuminate trends, dispel myths and come to a common understanding of how these livestock markets operate so that we can responsibly consider many proposals currently being discussed in the agricultural community. In the same way, I am hopeful that H.R. 169 will aid our deliberation of these issues by providing needed information and insight into the hog market. I ask that Members support this legislation as a constructive step in this ongoing policy discussion. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks on the bill just passed.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, It is my distinct privilege to rise today to honor one of Texas' finest agricultural journalists, Mr. James Calvin Pigg, editor of the Southwest Farm Press magazine in Dallas, Texas. Calvin has served as editor since the magazine's founding in 1974, faithfully reporting agricultural news for Southwest Farm Press for 25 years. A native Texan, Calvin has practiced his craft on radio, television, and print coverage of agriculture in the Southwest since 1955. After more than 40 years on the Texas and Oklahoma agricultural scene, his hands-on reporting style keeps stories fresh and interesting Reporting the dynamic and ever-changing events within the agriculture industry is an important duty since farmers and ranchers across the Southwest depend on this information. In addition to his Farm Press duties, he has served as a member of the Dean's Advisory Committee for Texas Tech University's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and has received the college's prestigious Gerald W. Thomas Outstanding Agriculturists Award in 1985. His unsurpassed dedication and genuine concern for the South Plains agricultural industry is legendary. He also was honored for his distinguished service to Texas agriculture by the Professional Agricultural Workers of Texas in 1980. Calvin was the president of the Dallas Agricultural Club in 1989, and his active involvement in various professional and honor societies proves he truly is a friend of agriculturists. It is with great honor that I recognize Mr. James Calvin Pigg on his commitment to the agricultural industry and his tireless dedication and service to Southwest Farm Press.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I do rise today in support of H.R. 2327, the Drive For Teen Employment Act. This bill clarifies a Department of Labor regulation that has unnecessarily restricted teens from employment opportunities. Under current department interpretation, a 17 year old cannot drive more than one incident a week without opening their employer to a fine that could be as high as $10,000. This interpretive change was made with no public notification and without informing any small businesses. Businesses first became aware of this change when they received fines for noncompliance. Within the bill, we provide significant safety provisions to ensure safe operations, while not preventing incidental and occasional driving by young workers. Previously this bill was passed by voice vote at both the subcommittee and the committee level and was passed by voice vote in the full House on September 28. We are considering it today simply because of a technical clarification by the other body that has no substantive impact on the bill. This common-sense legislation is a product of months of good faith, bipartisan work with my cosponsors, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Green) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Martinez). The bill has 83 cosponsors and is supported by the National Small Business United, the National Automobile Dealers Association and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers. The Department of Labor does not oppose this bill. I want to thank everyone for all of their hard work on this. I would encourage my colleagues to support passage of H.R. 2327.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4101. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the conference to H.R. 4101, the FY 1999 Agriculture Appropriations Act. Among other important provisions, this conference report provides emergency assistance for farmers and ranchers across the country who are facing income losses this year due to lost export markets, and devastating weather. Rural America has an extreme need for assistance right now, and I appreciate the opportunity we have today to meet that need. Mr. Speaker, American farmers and ranchers are the most efficient in the world--it's a fact, and it benefits our nation more than we can know. But even the most insightful and efficient agricultural producers cannot predict, nor plan for the economic devastation that can occur when prices fall, or when drastic weather wipes out a year's work. In my home of West Texas this year, we are facing both sides of this crisis. Severe heat and drought have left many producers without a crop. For those who did manage to hang on, low prices and higher input costs have robbed their profitability. The emergency assistance provided in this conference report represents the most even-handed way to infuse a substantial amount of needed capital into the cash poor rural economy. For producers of the traditional row-crops who are suffering excessively low prices, this bill provides supplemental market loss payments equal to 29 percent of their FY 1998 AMTA payment. For farmers who have suffered additional losses because of natural disasters, it gives the Secretary of Agriculture the ability and resources needed to provide cash indemnities. In addition, for soybean farmers, the package establishes a market for the value-added biodiesel product which should aide the industry for years to come. And lastly, for ranchers, the bill funds a livestock feed program that will reimburse a portion of any additional feed costs incurred this year. However, let us be clear: no amount of assistance we provide this year will make producers whole. But when combined with additional support provided through the Emergency Farm and Financial Relief Act-- which allows farmers to collect the full amount of their FY 1999 AMTA payments this month--and the tax package which this body passed last Saturday, the provisions of this agricultural relief package will go far in helping farmers and ranchers recover a portion of their losses. What's more, this cash assistance will roll over several times in our rural communities--bringing life to their ailing economies. Mr. Speaker, looking beyond today, I believe the current state of our farm sector commands further attention by this Congress--particularly in the committees of jurisdiction. But I believe we are acting prudently today to only consider a disaster relief package which works within the framework of our current farm bill. In 1996, we sought to empower the American farmer to be more competitive, and to capture a larger share of the growing world market by doing away with artificial price supports and planting restrictions. To renege on these goals now, or to make hasty reforms to this policy without having full knowledge of all the costs or ramifications involved would be reckless. Again, I want to express my strong support for this balanced disaster relief package. America's farmers and ranchers need our support. I urge the passage of this conference report.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I have had a long interest in reforming regulations that do not pass what I call ``The Stupid Test.'' I believe the teen driver regulation is a poster child for failing ``The Stupid Test.'' In 1993, the Department of Labor made a major regulatory change in the working definition of what incidental and occasional meant for licensed 16 and 17 year olds driving in the workplace. The change limits those under age 18 from driving more than one incident a week. The Department did this with no formal rule making and without informing any small businesses. Businesses first learned of the change when they received fines for non-compliance. One such incident involved a 17 year-old student working in a high school sponsored co-op program at a local bank in Milan, Illinois. This young lady was in the bookkeeping department and would occasionally make trips to a branch bank four miles away. The bank was fined $500 because of her occasional driving. Does it make any sense that these teens can drive an unlimited amount when they are not working, but while under supervised protection at work, they are completely prohibited from driving? In Washington State alone, it is estimated that this regulation resulted in the loss of at least 1,000 job opportunities for teens. The irony is that while the Department of Labor is spending upwards of $900 million annually on summer jobs programs, their own regulations is restricting the hiring of teens. My co-authoris Gene Green and Marty Martinez have helped negotiate a good bill that, while not going as far as the bill reported out of the House Education and Workforce Committee, it at least establishes some reasonable definition for what driving activities 17 year olds can perform. We reluctantly agreed to preclude 16 year olds from the bill after opposition from the Department of Labor. Under the bill driving is allowed as long as it does not exceed one- third of an employee's worktime in any workday and no more than 20 percent of an employees worktime in any work week. The bill limits the daily delivery of goods to two trips, although under the bill an employers vehicle is not considered a good. This legislation has been endorsed by the National Small Business United, National Automobile Dealers Association, National Community Pharmacists Association and the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers. We simply seek to bring a clearer, more reasonable standard for workers and business and hope you will support passage of H.R. 2327.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, as has been stated, the current conditions and crisis in agriculture is very broad and very wide and very deep. No single action that we can take or that anyone can take alone is going to solve this problem. In fact, many single actions that we take will not even address concerns of some farmers or ranchers. Tomorrow, it will be one month that the temperatures in Texas have been in excess of 100 degrees and most of that has been without any rain. In fact, I have some counties in my district that have had less than an inch and a quarter of rain since January 1. Even in those areas in which crops are irrigated, it is virtually impossible to keep up with the needs of a crop due to the fact of the high temperatures, the drought and the excessive winds. When that even is possible, the irrigation expenses this year are going to be phenomenal. Pastures are burned up, not all of them from the drought; some of them literally have burned up. Cattle prices are down. Ranchers are having to take their cattle prematurely to the market at a down market time, and this further complicates the problem. I once again call on the Secretary to allow a 5 percent a month penalty on the annual payments that would be made through CRP to allow the grazing of CRP lands. It might mean that some people can keep from having to send those cattle to the market, hopefully being able to preserve them until winter wheat pasture is available. There is a lot more that needs to be done. The Secretary, in fact, told our committee last week that it will be sometime later in August even before the Department has the loss figures. So it makes it very difficult for the Congress to act on anything further at this particular time when even the loss figures are not known. This is a tool. This is something that is going to provide some benefits to farmers if they wish to take advantage of it. It provides $551 billion October 1, across this country. That would be an infusion into the cash flow of the farmer if in fact they need to take it at this time and prevent them from having to take a loan. In Texas alone this would amount to over $536 million that would be available at a much earlier date. While again I recognize that there are other things that need to be done, this is, in fact, only one of the arrows in a quiver that we hope we can combat this crisis with. To those who would argue against this, for the fact that it does not go far enough, I would simply say that that is recognized. No one has contended that it does go far enough, but it is another of the steps that we think can provide some assistance at a much needed time to farmers who are facing a crisis.