Wendell Ford

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I withdraw it.

Mr. FORD. I thank the Chair.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Ms. Katherine DeRemer, who is on detail from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, be granted the privilege of the floor during the consideration of S. 1541, the Agricultural Market Transition Act of 1996.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, do I have time to ask unanimous consent? I ask unanimous consent that I may follow the Senator from Nevada with an amendment after the next majority amendment.

Mr. FORD. I thank the Chair and thank my colleague from Alabama. Mr. BRYAN addressed the Chair.

Mr. FORD. Reserving the right to object.

Mr. FORD. I thank the Chair. Privilege of the Floor

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of the amendment be dispensed with.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, I understand we have 30 minutes equally divided.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, we have talked a lot this morning about commodity programs--for good reason, they are the heart of the farm bill and the heart of rural America. However, unless we turn our attention to other priorities in rural America, we will be neglecting the needs of millions of our citizens who live in our small towns. To make sure we stay competitive, we have to make sure we maintain the infrastructure that has made American agriculture second to none, our research, conservation, and economic opportunities for small towns. To meet those objectives, I am offering an amendment to create a fund for rural America. Over 3 years, this initiative will dedicate $300 million to meeting those needs--$50 million in fiscal year 1996, $100 million in fiscal year 1997, and $150 million in fiscal year 1998 for investing in meeting those priorities. One of the top priorities must be keeping our research programs going. They make sure our farmers have the most up-to-date, most efficient farming techniques. This amendment will enable the Secretary to augment current programs and keep American agricultural ahead of the competition. This amendment will, second, enable the Secretary to invest in priorities to enhance economic growth in rural towns--in sewer and water grants, for example. As we prepare American agriculture for the 21st century, we have to make sure that our children, our grandchildren have economic opportunities to stay in our small towns. This piece of legislation is the only one the Senate will consider that will deal primarily with rural America. Unless we meet all the needs in rural America--not just the real and pressing needs of our farmers--then we will have done a disservice to rural Americans. We must take this opportunity to invest in meeting the needs agriculture will have to address to stay competitive and provide our citizens--and millions around the world--with an abundant, affordable food supply. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. FORD. I am perfectly willing to yield back my time, and if there is no objection, we can pass the amendment. I yield back my time, Mr. President.

Mr. FORD. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. FORD. I move to reconsider the vote.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from New Jersey [Mr. Bradley] is necessarily absent.

Mr. FORD. Mr. President, has the Senator from Iowa used all his time?

Mr. FORD

Mr. FORD. I announce that the Senator from Georgia [Mr. Nunn] and the Senator from Nevada [Mr. Reid] are necessarily absent.