Frank Lucas

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I am here today to bring my strong support to H.R. 2912 to reaffirm the inherent sovereign rights of the Osage Tribe to determine their membership and form of government. Because of a law created in 1906 by this Congress, the Osage Tribe has not been afforded the same rights as every other federally recognized tribe. According to that law, membership in the tribe would be extended only to those who owned a share of the Osage mineral estate and their descendents. Today, there are literally thousands of Osage Indians denied the benefits of membership simply because they do not hold a share of that estate. H.R. 2912, which I introduced in July of 2003, was designed to clarify the 98-year-old law. It is intended to put the Osage Tribe on equal footing with all other federally recognized tribes by allowing them to determine their own membership criteria and system of government, while protecting the headrights of the shareholders. I believe most importantly it will give many Osages, many young Osages, the opportunity to take part in Indian programs that have been previously denied to them. At a field hearing in March of this year, members of the Committee on Resources and I heard testimony from members of the Osage Tribe, as well as others involved with Indian affairs. It was clear from the warm reception that the bill received that the Osage people are prepared for the right to decide for themselves who is and who is not a tribal member. Mr. Speaker, I am quite confident in 1906 that this body was acting in the spirit of benevolent support to protect the Osages from what was, at that time, I should say, fantastic mineral wealth within their tribal reservation. Times have changed. The oil fields are not quite what they once were. It is important, I believe, now that we allow the Osages the same rights as every other federally recognized tribe; that we allow the Osages to go forward with their tribe. Therefore, Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 2912, bringing the Osage Tribe one step closer to finally receiving that right.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to remember and honor an outstanding citizen, Henry Jo Von Tungeln from Calumet, Oklahoma, who passed away on February 28th. Henry Jo was born on May 13, 1931 southwest of El Reno, Oklahoma. He was a fourth generation farmer and rancher in Canadian County. He was known throughout his community and the State for his commitment to community service and to the agriculture industry. Henry Jo was a tireless champion of agriculture, which was exemplified through his dedication to numerous agriculture organizations. He was active in the Oklahoma Farm Bureau, where he served as Vice President of The Oklahoma Farm Bureau State Board of Directors. He also served as the Canadian County Farm Bureau President for 45 years. He served 3 terms as Chairman of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and was appointed by three Governors. He also served as Secretary, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the U.S. Wheat Associates. He served on the Dean's Advisory Committee for the Oklahoma State University Division of Agriculture. In 2000, Henry Jo received the OSU Master Agronomist award. He was elected to the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2002. Henry Jo served on the Oklahoma Beef Council Board of Directors. He received the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Service Award. Henry Jo served on the International Trade Commission. He was elected Progressive Farmer Man of the Year in 2001. He also received the Agriculture Ambassador Award from Redlands Community College. Perhaps Henry Jo was best known for opening his home to many of us for discussions about the things that would benefit his community and the agriculture industry, so that future generations could enjoy the same way of life that he so enjoyed. He welcomed many to his dinner table, including international groups who were visiting Oklahoma to learn more about our agricultural products. He was an amazing ambassador for our State. Mr. Speaker, I join today with Henry Jo's family, friends, and community to honor his life and his commitment to his family, his community, and to the advancement of agriculture. He was an outstanding man and will truly be missed by all who knew him.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. As you know, Mr. Chairman, some suborbital reusable launch vehicles that will be used in commercial human space flight activities may have some attributes normally associated with airplanes as well as many attributes of rockets. My hope is that such hybrid vehicles would not have to be regulated under two separate regimes. What are the chairman's views on this matter?

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. I yield to the gentleman from New York.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. I thank the chairman and I look forward to continuing to work with him and our colleagues in the other body to see if we can create a single regime for hybrid commercial space flight vehicles.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman from New York (Mr. Boehlert) and the gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Gordon) bringing this important bill to the floor, because the emerging commercial human space flight industry presents tremendous opportunities for my State of Oklahoma and our Nation as a whole. I am particularly appreciative of this bill's intent to ease the regulatory burdens for entrepreneurs who are developing new suborbital reusable launch vehicles.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 2622, the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions Act. I am a cosponsor of this important piece of legislation because I feel that reauthorizing uniform national standards included in the Fair Credit Reporting Act will ensure America continues to have the best credit system in the world. Mr. Chairman, I came to Congress in 1994 and joined the Committee on Banking, now the Committee on Financial Services, because I knew that one of the common needs of my congressional district was capital. We were capital starved and I wanted to be a part of the committee that would have influence over the cost of and the availability of credit. And that is why I fully support this bill. It protects my constituents' access to fast and affordable credit, which is vital in today's economic times. I also support this bill because it includes measures to protect the explosion of the identity theft in this country. Last week the FTC reported 9.9 million Americans were victims of identity theft in the last year, and that is a frightening statistic to all of us. H.R. 2622 imposes meaningful new obligations on financial institutions to prevent identity theft and to ensure the accuracy of credit information. The uniform national credit reporting standards have lowered costs and increased choices and conveniences for all of our constituents. I urge my colleagues to support this important reauthorization.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, on the last day of this month this body will lose a Member who has for almost 18\1/2\ years been a critical part of several committees. The Committee on Small Business has been noted, serving as chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. But for me personally his chairmanship of the House Committee on Agriculture probably provides me with my greatest memories and has had the most tremendous impacts on my legislative judgment, certainly on my constituents in Oklahoma. I think back to 1996 when, in the heat of debate, at one of the most critical points of that farm bill, of sitting in a room with the then- Speaker and the late Bill Emerson and the soon-to-be-Chairman Combest as we discussed agriculture and southern crops and watching Larry make quite clear what the needs were of his constituents and what he felt like the needs were for agriculture in the United States and changing the course of the farm bill that day. Then in 2002 under his chairmanship and leadership with the gavel, setting about as he said at the time to go forth and listen to our farmers, yes, to listen to the experts and, yes, to listen to all the academic input, but to create a farm bill for the producers, a farm bill based on the things that they thought should be in a farm bill. Many at the time thought it was a pretty amazing concept, not always the way things are done in Washington, D.C. But, lo and behold, hearings across the country, hearings beyond belief here in the Nation's Capital, and the result of that was an amazing farm bill. And, oh, yes, the chairman's patience in conference committee, dealing with the, shall we say, other side of the building and dealing with some of our own membership, patience that would make Job extremely proud. And the result of that was a farm bill that locked in a tremendous amount of resources that, had we dug around that farm bill in 2003, would not have been there. Yes, a farm bill based on what our neighbors back home told us they wanted, crafted in a way that could build almost two-thirds majorities in both the House and the Senate placed on the books. But, ultimately, I think when Larry and Sharon return home to west Texas, the final observation will be that they have been good servants of their constituents; and that is what it is all about, representing those folks back home to the best of your ability in a way that they would be proud of. That, Mr. Chairman, you have accomplished. That is a goal I think we should all work towards.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in support of this resolution and in support of the Pledge of Allegiance. I believe children in schools across America should start their day in the same way we do here on the floor of the United States House of Representatives, by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Speaker, the Ninth Circuit's decision is outrageous and has set a dangerous precedent that we cannot allow to continue nationwide. I know of no better way to educate our children about the beliefs we stand for in this great Nation of ours than with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge is an important way of educating our children about the value of patriotism, democracy, a reminder that we are one Nation under God. That is why I believe we need to keep the Pledge in our schools, and as my constituents in Oklahoma would say, keep the judges who do not value the Pledge out of our courts. Mr. Speaker, my constituents are dumbfounded and angered by the Ninth Circuit's actions. That is why I have introduced legislation immediately after the court's original ruling last year that would amend the U.S. Constitution to protect the right of schools to lead willing students in the recitation of the Pledge. I have reintroduced my Pledge of Allegiance Protection Amendment in this Congress; and while I know, I believe in my heart that the U.S. Supreme Court will overturn this foolish ruling, I urge my colleagues' support for its passage if the Supreme Court upholds the Ninth Circuit Court's atrocious decision. Mr. Speaker, again, I support this resolution in support of the Pledge.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today, I reintroduced the bill that I introduced last Congress in response to the absurd ruling made by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals which declared school recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance unconstitutional. Immediately upon hearing of this atrocious decision in June of last year, I began drafting my bill, the ``Pledge of Allegiance Protection Amendment,'' which would amend the U.S. Constitution to protect the right of schools to lead willing students in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Mr. Speaker, I believe children in schools across America should start their day the same way we do here in Congress, by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. The court decision has set a dangerous precedent that we cannot allow to continue nationwide. I know of no better way to educate our children about the beliefs we stand for in this great country of ours than with the Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge is an important way of educating our children about the value of patriotism and democracy and a reminder that we are one nation, under God. That is why I believe we need to keep the Pledge in our schools and keep judges who don't value the Pledge out of our courts. As it stands now, a temporary stay has been placed on the effect of the ruling until the full panel of the Ninth Circuit reviews the case. I would prefer not to have to amend the Constitution unless it is absolutely necessary to do so, and it is my hope that the courts will overtum this ridiculous ruling. However, if they do not, then I have my bill ready to go to protect the Pledge of Allegiance in our schools. Mr. Speaker, I urge your support of this bill and yield back the remainder of my time.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, today Oklahoma's delegation to the United States Congress pays tribute to our friend and colleague, the distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma, Wes Watkins. Following twenty years of service in the House, Wes Watkins is leaving Congress at the end of this term. His service on behalf of Oklahoma's Third Congressional District spans parts of four decades: From 1977 to 1991 as a Democrat, and from 1997 to the present as a Republican. Those of us who have had the honor to serve and work with Wes Watkins know him to be one of the hardest working and most dedicated members of the Congress. The Third District of Oklahoma has been one of the most rural, economically distressed areas of the nation, and Wes Watkins has made it his mission to lay the foundation for private sector economic development and job growth in his district. Whether he was recruiting potential employers or seeking federal funding for basic infrastructure that most of the country takes for granted--like paved roads and running water--Wes Watkins has always placed the needs of his constituents first on his priority list. When traditional financing couldn't be arranged for businesses to expand or locate in his district, Wes Watkins helped found Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma, a non-profit economic development organization that in the past twenty years has financed more than $200 million in business loans for rural Oklahoma. When a potential business recruit told him there was not an ample water supply to locate a coal-fueled electric power plant in his district, Wes Watkins obtained federal funding to raise the level of a local lake to accommodate the plant's needs. Wes Watkins led the effort to help fledgling rural businesses succeed by helping create the nation's first rural business incubators in his district. And he worked with Oklahoma's career and technology education system to create rural distance-learning centers to help bridge the digital divide between urban and rural areas by bringing technology training directly to his rural constituents. Thanks in large part to Wes Watkins' efforts, southeastern Oklahoma-- once known for its welfare dependency--is now developing into one of the fastest growing areas of our state. In addition to his economic development efforts in rural Oklahoma, Wes Watkins has earned a reputation as a strong supporter of our state's agriculture and energy industries. He has worked to improve rural health care and education. Wes Watkins has been an outspoken advocate for our nation's veterans and for a strong national defense. He has obtained funding for countless economic infrastructure projects like road construction, airport improvements, and water development in his rural district. And Wes Watkins' efforts to ensure Oklahoma's former Indian lands were eligible for federal Indian land tax incentives have provided Oklahoma with one of the best industrial recruitment tools in America. With twenty years of experience in the House, Wes Watkins is the dean of Oklahoma's House delegation. His leadership and wisdom will be greatly missed not just by his many admiring colleagues, but by his district, his state, and his nation. Thank you Wes, for your many years of service and for a job well done. Your friends in Oklahoma's congressional delegation wish you the best of health and continued success in the years to come.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that when the House adjourns today, it adjourn to meet at 10 a.m. tomorrow for morning hour debates.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to have my name removed as a cosponsor of H.R. 1577.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 4846, the Silver Eagle Coin Continuation Act of 2002 and, of course, urge its immediate passage. The legislation before us is simple yet important. When Congress, as has been noted, authorized the United States Mint to strike and sell investment-grade silver bullion coins, it directed that the silver to make such coins come only from the strategic silver stockpile established under the Strategic and Critical Stockpiling Act. Later, Congress ordered the sell-off of many of these stockpiles, including the silver stockpile, but in an oversight did not allow for a new source of silver for the American Silver Eagle coin program once the stockpile was depleted. I would like to note for the record that the stockpile is now totally depleted, with the last shipment being made to the silver refiners within the past 2 weeks. However, that means that, without a change in law authorizing a new source of the silver used in the coin, the program will grind to a halt. That would disappoint investors but also have implications for jobs at the Mint and at the silver refiners here in the United States. Madam Speaker, the Silver Eagle coin program has been an enormous success. Since those first coins were produced in 1986, nearly 115 million of the one-troy-ounce silver coins have been sold. The coin is made from .999 fine silver, much purer than the old traditional cartwheel silver dollars, such as the Morgan dollars, which were 90 percent pure. The obverse, or face, design is from the famous ``Walking Liberty'' half dollar design, designed by Adolph A. Weinman and produced between 1916 and 1947. The eagle on the reverse is a new design by John Mercanti. The coins are sold for the spot cost of the one ounce of silver, plus manufacturing, marketing, and distribution costs. Currently, an uncirculated coin sells for about $6.75. The legislation before us, using legislative language introduced in the House by the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Otter), simply strikes a reference to using the silver stockpile as the source for the silver coin program, directing the silver be acquired from appropriate other sources as defined by law. The bill before us has two other sections also, both minor. One clarifies the congressional intent in the mid-1990 reforms of the commemorative coin programs that were offered by the gentleman from Delaware (Mr. Castle). Those reforms directed that organizations that are the beneficiaries of surcharges from the sale of commemorative coins must raise from private sources funds to match the surcharges received. There has been some confusion about how the match would work, and this legislation clarifies that arrangement. This section also creates a mechanism for the eventual disposal of any surcharge funds not paid out to a beneficiary organization because of a failure to raise those matching funds. Currently, in Federal law, there is no such mechanism. Finally, the bill consolidates and restates the United States Mint's main operating authorities, clearing out some obsolete language. No additions or subtractions to the authorities are made. This is strictly a housekeeping effort. Madam Speaker, while all three sections of this bill are minor in the overall scheme of things, they are important to many. Giving the American Silver Eagle program a new source of silver will ensure those who want investment grade silver coins can continue to buy them and ensure that the jobs of those who so capably make these coins are maintained. Clarifying the matching funds requirement will make the bookkeeping understandable in our commemorative coin program, and consolidating the Mint's operating authorities will make reference to those portions of the U.S. Code much clearer. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself 5 minutes. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3250, the Code Talkers Recognition Act. This legislation celebrates a relatively unknown aspect of American history, acts of bravery and heroism by Native American soldiers in the world wars of the last century, acts which saved the lives of many Allied servicemen. Mr. Speaker, in any war, battles turn as much on information or on secrecy as on pure military might. If you know what your enemy is planning, you have a good chance to stop it. In both the First and Second World Wars, our enemies were skilled code breakers, and the ability to crack our communications costs many Allied lives. In both conflicts, however, a relatively small band of Native Americans were able to use their unique tribal languages to baffle enemies. Speaking to each other either on field radios or field telephones, or occasionally even communicating with written messages, these men were able to quickly and accurately relay complex military messages and orders that could not be understood by enemies even if intercepted. Based neither on European languages or on mathematical formulas, these tribal languages were so impenetrable to the German and Japanese military intelligence units that they are said never to have been cracked. Mr. Speaker, the best known of these code talkers were the Navajo, honored with congressional medals in the last Congress. But a number of other tribes, including the Sioux, Comanche and Choctaw, also provided code talkers, and the legislation we consider today seeks to recognize them as well. The bill we are taking up was introduced by the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune) and incorporates language in similar bills by the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger) and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins). Mr. Speaker, as the sponsors of the language in this bill will tell us, the critical role played by the Native American code talkers in the battles of the First and Second World Wars were critical to the success of Allied efforts. It is long overdue that Congress recognize their heroic efforts with congressional gold medals. This bill will do that, recognizing the Comanche, Sioux and Choctaw code talkers, as well as asking the Secretary of Defense to identify any other soldiers from other tribes who also served valiantly in the defense of this country and then awarding them medals. Mr. Speaker, I ask strongly for the support of this legislation.

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

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune), the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), and the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins), for their efforts. Clearly, the generation that went off to Europe in 1917 and 1918 is now all but gone, and the young men who went off to fight the Second World War between 1941 and 1945 is starting to show the ages and seasons of time. But, my colleagues, by making this effort to acknowledge these brave and valiant efforts, we do this House great service and do this Nation the same service.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Watkins), who was raised among the Choctaw in eastern Oklahoma.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Granger), another one of the authors of this important piece of legislation. (Ms. GRANGER asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Dakota (Mr. Thune), who is the primary principal author of this bill and who has worked very diligently on this effort.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3250) to authorize the President to present a gold medal on behalf of Congress to the Sioux Indians who served as Sioux Code Talkers during World War II in recognition of their service to the Nation, as amended.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 3250.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, 8 months ago our perspective on the potential threats to our borders changed forever as we saw the true capacity of evil on our defenseless citizens. Three days ago we were reminded that that threat was still very real when the Vice President, Mr. Cheney, said the question of another terrorist attack was not if, but when. Today we in the House take an important step in preventing important attacks by passing this conference committee report. In November of last year I introduced legislation that addressed many of the issues that had been included in title III of the conference report before us today. Included in both my bill and today's conference report are an increased presence of animal, plant and food and safety inspectors at the ports of entry. The APHIS and FSIS will develop strategies to prevent future incidents where animal and plant diseases are used by terrorists to attack U.S. citizens. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this conference report. I thank the chairman and ranking member for their diligent efforts.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of the farm bill. Today, I believe, is a great day for America's farmers and for rural America. This bill shows the true commitment of Congress to the future of production agriculture. I am proud to have been a part of a process where we actually asked producers what they wanted to see in the next farm bill. Farmers told us they like the flexibility and the fixed payment system of the old farm bill, but there was a key element missing: producers wanted a safety net, and we responded by including a safety net in this bill. Producers asked us to give them an option of receiving an LDP payment on wheat they grazed out. It was decided that that was the more economical thing to do than harvest it. This bill gives the producers that option and allows them to make decisions that are best for their operation. Producers told us that the current conservation programs were working. The only problem was there was not enough funding. We responded by increasing the funding for conservation programs by 80 percent and the basic cost-share conservation program by six times. Producers pushed Congress to include a country-of-origin labeling and their work paid off. When given this option, I believe consumers will pick American produce over our foreign competitors. I strongly support this farm bill. I urge my colleagues to vote for final passage and show their support for America's farmers.

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma

Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask for Members' support for the Agricultural Bioterrorism Countermeasures Act of 2001, H.R. 3293. The tragic events of September 11 have made all Americans appreciate our freedom and democracy more than ever. As we continue to get our lives back to normal, we must also realize how much this has changed. Terrorism does not have to be directed towards people; it can be directed at our modes of transportation, our communications infrastructure, or even our food supply. The United States Department of Agriculture, along with the Food and Drug Administration, is in charge of ensuring that Americans have a safe and abundant food supply. I would like to make it absolutely clear that because of USDA and FDA Americans enjoy the benefit of the safest food supply in the world. However, USDA and FDA have not had to clearly focus on how to prevent terrorism, bioterrorism, agriterrorism, or whatever term one prefers to use in describing the threats to America's food supply. Prevention is the key and long-term planning should be the goal to continued food safety. Congress needs to take positive steps to help USDA perform what we ask of it. Today, I am dropping a bill to help with prevention and long-term planning. H.R. 3293 authorizes money to be spent on USDA's agricultural research laboratories so that there is adequate plant and animal research being performed to combat bioterrorism. Some of USDA's most important research facilities need to be modernized in order for the U.S. to stand ready for our new fight. The bill also provides money for the Oklahoma City National Memorial Institute for the Prevention of Terrorism, for research to make sure that USDA, the Department of Agriculture, and other law enforcement and emergency preparedness organizations cooperate and have the proper techniques in place in the event of bioterrorism events. Further, Oklahoma State is authorized to receive a grant to establish a food safety research center. OSU is the ideal location for a food safety center that is needed in our new struggle. This proposed food safety center will utilize state-of-the-art detection methods to determine the critical points in the food chain, from production, harvest, processing, and distribution, to consumption, where interventions could be applied to eliminate the known hazards for humans. The Secretary of Agriculture will develop rapid response field test kits that can quickly be deployed to State and local agencies to determine if an act of bioterrorism has occurred. These are intended for quick discovery and to confirm outbreaks of plant or animal diseases, pathogens, or other bioterrorism agents. The intramural agricultural bioterrorism research and development section of this bill will make USDA's ARS programs focus on enhancing regulatory agencies' response time, encouraging academic and private sector partners to work together to maximize research benefits, strengthening the links with the intelligence community to learn what research needs are most important, and encouraging ARS to work with international operations to control the spread of plant and animal diseases. The consortium for countermeasures against agricultural bioterrorism is truly valuable. Those colleges and universities that turn out animal and plant doctors will coordinate with the Federal agencies, such as USDA, to develop the long-term program needed to combat bioterrorism. Furthermore, competitive grants will be provided through USDA which are directed towards the protection of the domestic food supply. The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, APHIS, will be authorized to receive more funds to increase inspections at points of origin and to improve surveillance at points of entry. They will also be required to develop new and better techniques of working with State and local agencies to control the outbreaks of plant and animal diseases. The Food Safety Inspection Service, FSIS, will be charged with enhancing its ability to inspect the safety of meat and poultry products. Like APHIS, FSIS will be expected to work with State and local agencies to create the best possible means of sharing information and technology in order to reach the best results possible. This legislation is designed for the long-term benefit of producers and consumers alike. Please support H.R. 3293.