Larry Combest

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, in the engrossment of the bill, H.R. 2559, the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, citations, and cross references and to make such other technical and conforming changes as may be necessary to reflect the actions of the House in amending the bill.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the amendment. I would say to the gentlewoman that the crop insurance program obviously is a voluntary program which should be open and we would always want it to be open to any individual who qualifies as a farmer. And that the intent of this bill is to create an additional menu of insurance options that are available to hopefully be able to reach and to meet the specific needs that some farmers may have that may not fit into a bigger box. That is the whole purpose, to create new programs available. Certainly without singling out or giving a priority to anyone, I just want to make sure the record is clear that this program is available voluntarily to any farmer who wishes to participate who does qualify. With that in mind, Mr. Chairman, I would rise in support and urge the adoption of the gentlewoman's amendment.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor one of our nation's finest military leaders. General Michael K. Wyrick proudly has given 30 years of uniformed service to our country, and now begins his retirement. Capping his stellar career by serving as Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Air Force, he is the only healthcare administrator in the Air Force to ever attain this position. It is both fitting and appropriate to take a moment to celebrate the accomplishments of this decorated officer. General Wyrick, a young West Texas gentleman, entered the military in 1969 as a graduate of the Texas Christian University Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. General Wyrick displayed his natural leadership abilities in successful early, military assignments at Charleston Air Force Base, South Carolina and Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. General Wyrick then earned a Master's Degree in Health Service Administration from Baylor University. His vast knowledge of administrative strategy and leadership was complemented by additional, highly competitive academic endeavors. Graduation from Air War College and participation in select leadership development programs at Duke University and Cornell University are included among his most recent academic accomplishments. Baylor University has since recognized General Wyrick with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Graduate Program in Health Care Administration. Many additional honors have also been bestowed upon the General for his administrative excellence, including the Outstanding Federal Services Administrator Award from the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States and the Healthcare Administration Award from the American Academy of Medical Administrators. General Wyrick has held numerous key domestic and overseas assignments in the Air Force Medical Service. In addition to being named the Chief Administrator of four Air Force hospitals, he directed the medical programs and resources in the headquarters of the Office of the Surgeon General prior to being named the Deputy Surgeon General of the Air Force. As Chief of the Air Force Medical Service Corps, General Wyrick's vital task was coordinating and executing the health care mission of the United States Air Force. The finesse with which he shoulders every responsibility has helped General Wyrick become such a highly decorated leader. Today, he proudly wears the Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, and the prestigious Legion of Merit. Major General Wyrick's wife, Carol, and children, Brian and Lauri, and his hometown of Amarillo, Texas look to General Wyrick as a source of great pride. He has brought honor to the distinguished uniform of the United States Air Force that he has proudly worn for the past 30 years. His unmatched leadership ability and strength of character set him apart as one of our nation's finest citizens and most valued military officers. It is my pleasure to recognize General Michael K. Wyrick's outstanding career of exemplary service.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Hutchinson).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding time to me. Mr. Chairman, this is a simple matter of fairness. The authority in the bill reported by the Committee on Agriculture for dairy farmers to enter into private contracts with processors is completely voluntary. If the farmer decides they want to enter into a contract, it is agreeable to both sides, they can do so, completely voluntary. According to the experts within the Department of Agriculture, it may be impossible to implement a forward contracted program if fluid milk is excluded. Therefore, I do support the Dooley amendment to the Stenholm-Pombo amendment. Specifically, Mr. Chairman, the amendment that was offered by my colleague, the gentleman from Texas, seeks to make the authority to forward contract a pilot study. I can support that. Unfortunately, the amendment also says that unlike the farmers who sell their milk for manufactured dairy products, if they sell their milk to a bottler, fluid milk bottler, they cannot negotiate for a better price. If the goal is to establish a pilot, I do not believe that it is wise to prohibit the farmer participation based on how that product will be sold. The authority for a farmer to contract for the sale of their product guarantees their income and ultimately reduces price volatility that has plagued this industry and consumers. I do support the Dooley amendment, and if it passes, I support the underlying amendment. Mr. Chairman, I believe it is responsible for us to give all of the possible options of marketing to all of our farmers to best provide them the best risk management they can possibly have in times of very depressed agricultural conditions.

Mr. COMBEST

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sherwood).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. (Mr. COMBEST asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, as all Members know, dairy policy debates are contentious and are characterized more often than not by regional as opposed to ideological differences. The House Committee on Agriculture has endeavored to provide Members on all sides of this issue ample notice and a fair process in which to debate their views and represent the interests of their constituents. H.R. 1402, as reported, addresses several perceived weaknesses of the final decision of the U.S. Department of Agriculture as well as current law. During committee consideration, several amendments were included to deal with concerns over price volatility, manufactured product formula pricing, and price support. Mr. Chairman, I know Members are split on dairy policy. I am also aware that there is no great sense of camaraderie within the industry on this issue. This is a modest bill which makes some modest changes in the federal dairy program. I urge all Members to support this legislation. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Pombo), chairman of the subcommittee which has jurisdiction over dairy policy.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Boehner).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht), who is very involved in agriculture policy.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Blunt), the original author of H.R. 1402.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), a member of the committee.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Smith), a member of the committee. (Mr. SMITH of Michigan asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Ramstad).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Green).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Alabama (Mr. Riley).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte). (Mr. GOODLATTE asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Sweeney). (Mr. SWEENEY asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I understand very much the gentleman's concerns about the dairy policy, the proponents of this amendment, and I would say that the committee, now the full House, is considering basically whether to implement 1-A or not. I believe we know where our constituents stand on this issue, I believe we know how they have spoken with us. I do not believe it is necessary to implement what we believe is a strong majority of the House by holding another referendum. Either Members support 1-A or they do not. It is not necessary to go through some bureaucratic procedure in order to get to the end point. So, Mr. Chairman, I would oppose the amendment.

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert). (Mr. BOEHLERT asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New York (Mr. McHugh).

Mr. COMBEST. Mr. Chairman, I yield the balance of our time to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Gutknecht).