Marilyn Musgrave

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a business woman from Las Animas, Colorado. Mrs. Gula Stough Adams has poured her heart and soul into a business that has been owned and operated by Mrs. Adams and her family for 70 years. Gula owns and operates Stough's Flower Shop, and has weathered the economic storms of rural Colorado going back to the days of the Great Depression and WWII. ``It's wonderful work. I wish I were 20 years younger,'' said Gula, who is 85 and still going strong. Her mother Inez Stough, established the business in 1938. Of course, Gula's personal history goes back a little farther than that. Before her family moved to Las Animas they ranched at Ninaview, Colorado, 35 miles south of Las Animas. ``We still have the ranch we homesteaded in 1915,'' she noted. In those long ago days she attended Pine Hill School, which her family and relatives helped build by bringing in rock and then assembling the one-room school. She reports the structure is still standing, and a memento from it hangs on a wall in her flower shop, the Regulator clock. When the school was reorganized she asked her parents to obtain the clock. She walked over and pointed to four letters in the clock manufacturer's name . . . Gula. The Depression years were not the happiest of times, but the hard times brought the family into town from the ranch. Gula's mother knew the family had to do something. So Inez thought she would open a flower shop. The original flower shop was downtown, but the rent was too high. So her mother had a small stucco shop built. ``You just think back about the Depression years and you wonder how we ever did it, but we did. During the Depression people were able to survive,'' Gula noted, adding that people may have managed their money better then than they do now. Over the last 70 years that she has been in business, Gula remembers when Las Animas was thriving. Though it saddens her to see the current economic state of this rural community, she still carries on in her business despite what some would think to be insurmountable odds. Gula never took an opportunity to pull back from the challenges of running a small business in rural America. She believes in working hard and sound financial management, and it is my firm belief that these two things have contributed to her long and productive life. When other businesses failed around her she worked hard and spent wisely. During World War II Gula married Pete Jerman, Jr., a B-24 pilot who went down over the Mediterranean, leaving her a widow. Those were sad days for Gula and her family. In 1947, her mother insisted she go to Denver and study at the first floral school to be established in Colorado. Her mother told her she would be more confident in herself if she took the classes. Back in Las Animas she married again to Mr. Lloyd Adams. They built their current flower shop in 1968 at 702 Grove Avenue in Las Animas, Colorado. This will be her 40th year at this location. Gula loves her business and the community in which she has run her business for 70 years. Madam Speaker, I am grateful to Mrs. Gula Adams for her dedication and courage. She is an example to all of the small businesses within my district. It is an honor to represent her in Congress, and it is an honor to recognize this small business owner who has been a part of this family business for 70 years. She is a tribute to her trade and a treasure to her community.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the memory of Kenneth Marion Musgrave, Sr., born on October 6, 1923, to a family of 14 children, in Adena, CO. He grew up on a farm southeast of Fort Morgan, CO, attended school in Adena through the 8th grade and completed his high school education in Fort Morgan. Kenneth proudly served his country in World War II and returned to Colorado to raise his family. Stories that have been told through the years prove that Kenneth was always ready and willing to liven any situation with either a practical joke or humor. After high school, Kenneth joined the Army in December of 1942 and was honorably discharged in November 1945. Kenneth operated a 15-ton truck equipped with a power crane for 31 months with the 456th Service Squadron serving in the United States, England, France, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany. He received the European-African- Middle Eastern Service Medal, Meritorious Service Unit Plaque, World War II Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the American Service Medal. He was always proud of his service to his country and carried a strong sense of patriotism throughout his entire life and was an active member of the VFW. During his army career he married Jean Elizabeth Mason on May 22, 1943 and they shared their lives for 49 years before she died in August 1992. After his discharge from the army, Kenneth and Jean farmed in northeastern Colorado for many years, raising six children, Kirby, Marva, William, Susan, Kenneth, Jr., and Robin. He moved his family to the Western Slope in 1967 and began working for the Colorado Department of Highways until he retired in 1988 with over 21 years of service. Kenneth was a strong family man, maintaining strong ties with his many brothers and sisters, always ready for a visit with his children and grandchildren. His greatest delight was to hold his great- grandchildren. Kenny also enjoyed hunting and playing bingo. As an Odd Fellows member, he called the bingo for the lodge for many years. Kenny will always be remembered for that mischievous look in his eye that always gave him away when he had something up his sleeve. Kenny's life was a lesson in how to enjoy life, care for others, and make a positive impact on the world. I am proud to honor Kenny, a precious veteran, who is the embodiment of all the values that have molded America into the great Nation it is today. May God bless his family, may God bless our precious veterans, and may God bless America.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero, Milton Conger, from Burlington, Colorado. Mr. Conger was born on October 1, 1924, in rural Kansas. He was a member of the greatest generation and served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946. Milton grew up in Kit Carson County, Colorado, and entered the Army immediately following graduation from high school. He married Marjorie Irene Schmidt on October 1, 1943, while home on leave, right before being sent to Europe to serve with the 79th Infantry Division, 314th Regiment, L. Company. Milton's company fought primarily in France. On October 9, 1944, while digging a foxhole at the edge of the Forest of Parroy, a Jeep pulled up and out stepped a 4-star general and asked him how things were going. He later determined that he had spoken to General Marshall, who had come to France to see the troops. Milton was awarded the Purple Heart for a leg wound he received a few days before his meeting with the general. It was also in the Forest of Parroy that Milton and one of his buddies captured four German soldiers. Mr. Conger received the Combat Infantry Badge and the Croix-de-Guerre from the French in 1997. During their time in France, 862 soldiers of Milton's 314th Regiment were killed in action, 4,139 were wounded, and 56 were reported missing in action. They also captured 11,822 German soldiers. The trip home from Europe was dangerous for Milton, he was sent home on the French ship Athos II. On December 21, 1945, they encountered a huge Atlantic typhoon and were tossed about the sea for two days. The soldiers were forced to stand for hours in the slimy lower passages as ballast. The ship was badly battered, and had to stop in the Azores. There they waited to be transferred to the aircraft carrier Enterprise for the rest of the trip home. After the war, Milton returned home to Colorado where he worked as a carpenter and building contractor, operating Conger Construction. Milton and his wife Marjorie raised three daughters: Linda Kay (Malm), Nancy Lee (Brown), and Connie Rae (Ogle). Mr. Conger is a charter member of VFW Post 6491 and is also a member of American Legion Post 60. I am proud to honor Milton Conger for his dedicated service to our Nation. He is an American hero who left his home to defend our Nation, and then returned home to be a valued member of his community, showing his children and grandchildren how to live meaningful lives of service. Milton truly is the embodiment of all the values that have molded America into the great nation it is today. May God bless Milton and his family, may God bless our precious veterans, and may God bless America.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the memory of Vester Eugene Shuler whose warm heart and love of music touched many lives in Colorado. Gene was born in Choestoe, GA, and first came to Colorado when he was 13 years old to work in the sugar beet fields in Weld County. He traveled back and forth between Georgia and Colorado frequently in his early years and later raised his family in North Park Colorado. Gene spent summers working in Colorado while attending school in Georgia. He proudly served in the United States Army and was sent to Germany in 1945. During his tour of duty he was a mechanic who supervised a garage. He returned home to Georgia to marry his sweetheart Loujine Young on July 17, 1948. The young couple soon headed west and spent time working and living with Gene's brother Grady and his wife Ethel. They later moved to North Park where Gene worked as a welder and mechanic with Ozark Mahoney. A labor strike closed the mine and sent the young family to California to spend some time with relatives. They soon returned to North Park, living in Cowdrey, Pine Springs and finally Walden. Gene worked for the Wilford Garage, Cooper Motors and the Sigma Coal Mines. Music played a large part of Gene's life. As a young boy Gene stuttered. He began playing music at a young age; it gave him a way to say things he couldn't make out in words. He realized that he could do with music what he couldn't do with words. He knew when it was time to start the music and what music everyone loved to hear. If you knew him at all, then he knew your favorite song. He truly loved the time he shared with the people he cared about. Gene and Loujine raised 2 children, Carl Shuler and Gwen Hanson. They were blessed with 5 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. They enjoyed traveling and visited Georgia, Florida, Texas, California, Wyoming, Arizona and many places in between. Gene's life was a lesson in how to enjoy life, honor God, care for others, face difficulties with courage, and make a positive impact on the world. I am proud to honor Gene, a precious veteran, who is the embodiment of all the values that have molded America into the great Nation it is today. May God bless his family, may God bless our veterans, and may God bless America.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Paul Victor Linstrom who was born May 31, 1926, in Whitewood, SD. Paul attended school in Sturgis, SD. He joined the Navy in August of 1943, finishing his high school GED and naval training at the U.S. Naval Training Station at Farragut, ID. He was listed as a graduate of the class of 1944 at Sturgis High School. He was assigned to the Pierre Victory troop transport ship as a signalman and spent his military tour in the South Pacific. Paul was honorably discharged from the Navy in July 1946. Paul married Isabelle Gerhard on September 21, 1946, in Sturgis, where he started his truck driving career for his Dad's business. Paul and his family moved to Rapid City in 1950 where he started a 25-year career as an over-the-road, sleeper, truck driver for United Buckingham Transport. He also drove for AMOCO Oil Co. of Rapid City from 1975 to 1990, when he retired. He loved fishing, hunting, traveling and camping in the Black Hills as well as and throughout the American West, Mexico, and Canada. In 1965, he helped organize the ``Black Hills Hillbillies'', a camping club associated with the Red Dale National Campers Club, serving as the Head Scout for the Hillbillies and hosting a number of National Rallies in South Dakota, as a 36-year member. Paul and Isabelle spent 10 years wintering in Apache Junction, AZ, meeting many new friends in the RV Park and taking bus trips in Arizona, California and Mexico. Paul and Isabelle raised two daughters, Paula Kay LaPorte, who is married to John LaPorte, and Deborah Ann Phelps, who is married to Mike Phelps. They have four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Madam Speaker, we are so fortunate to live in this great country where freedom is something that we rarely have to think about and often take for granted. It is simply a way of life for us, and we are truly blessed to live in a country whose citizens willingly volunteer to put themselves in harm's way to defend and protect our great Nation. I am proud to honor Paul for his dedicated service to our Nation. Paul is an American hero who left his home to defend our Nation, and then returned home to be a valued member of his community, showing his children and grandchildren how to live meaningful lives of service. Paul truly is the embodiment of all the values that have molded America into the great Nation it is today. May God bless Paul and his family, may God bless our precious veterans, and may God bless America.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of SSG Shane Becker. Mr. Becker served in the United States Army as a staff Sergeant. in the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Mr. Becker courageously died in combat on April 3, 2007, in Baghdad. I believe his service and commitment to our country most worthy of being recognized by this great legislative body. Shane Becker was born October 12, 1971, and graduated from Greeley West High School in 1990. Becker joined the Army in 1993 and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. In 2006, Becker transferred from Fort Hood to Fort Richardson in Alaska. Mr. Becker was a decorated war hero who received the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and the Overseas Service Medal. Becker is survived by his wife Crystal and daughters Cierra and Cheyenna; his mother and stepfather, Deborah and Bob Jorgensen, his father and stepmother, Joe and Jean Becker; sister Brooke Jorgensen; stepsister Nichole Becker; and stepbrothers Chris Becker, Adam Becker, Matt Jorgensen and Chris Jorgensen. Madam Speaker, I am grateful for Mr. Becker's selfless service to our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in recognizing a man worthy of our honor, Mr. Shane Becker.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, because it is taking longer than it should to complete the people's business and the Agriculture appropriations bill is getting further delayed by political wrangling, I am compelled to petition Speaker Pelosi to focus on a Federal food bank program that is very important to my Colorado district. I have asked the Speaker to retain funding for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program. This program was established in the 1960s and effectively and efficiently provides low-income elderly individuals and pregnant women basic food assistance. However, in recent years, Presidents Clinton and Bush have proposed the elimination of this program, despite the objections of many, including me. The importance of the Commodity Supplemental Food Program funding was made clear to me during the August work period when I visited the Weld County Food Bank. This food bank is one of seven in Colorado that utilizes this funding, and it serves nearly 20,000 residents in my district. This food bank program and the Agriculture appropriations bill are vital to Colorado. Please retain funding for this program, and do so without further delay.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, RMFU, for 100 years of proud service to the independent farmers and ranchers of Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. The Rocky Mountain Farmers Union was founded in 1907 as a grassroots organization dedicated to improving the well-being of family producers and their communities through legislation, cooperation, and education. This organization believes, as I do, that stable farm and ranch families are the foundation of healthy rural communities, and healthy rural communities bolster the entire U.S. economy and provide the Nation with a steady, wholesome, local food supply. As a practical display of these values, RMFU founded the Educational Charitable Foundation in 1996 offering programs such as the Cooperative Development Center, seminars and conferences on renewable energy, and campaigns such as ``Buy Fresh Buy Local.'' As a family organization RMFU also sponsors activities and educational opportunities for all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. This organization seeks to meld the value of experience with the importance of developing young leaders. Madam Speaker, I am honored to publicly recognize the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union on their 100th anniversary and thank them for their service to the ranchers and farmers of Colorado's Fourth Congressional District. And although we don't always agree about how best to help farmers and ranchers, I wish RMFU continued success as they advocate for the needs of the independent producer into the next century.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Speaker, on rollcall No. 975, I inadvertently voted ``yea'' and intended to vote ``nay.''

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Yes, in its current form.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I offer a motion to recommit.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, without question, as we have heard here today, there is need in this country for affordable housing, particularly for the elderly and the disabled. But when government- financed, low-income housing is occupied by able-bodied adults who have chosen not to work, they are displacing these very people who are the most needy; the elderly, the disabled. In 1996, Congress and President Clinton agreed that able-bodied adults ought to be required to work if they are going to receive government welfare. Today the proposal that I am putting forward to amend this bill is to extend this same commonsense requirement to the new housing financed by this bill. I just want to make it very clear, Madam Speaker, this proposal does not apply to the elderly or the disabled or single parents of children under 6 years of age who are unable to find appropriate and affordable child care, in addition to many others. But I think we can realize, if you are able-bodied, capable of working or even applying for a job, then American taxpayers expect that in exchange for this taxpayer- financed housing, you will commit to at least 20 hours of work activities per month. That is minimal part-time work. And work activities can include job training, community service programs, and even providing child care. The work activities requirement is taken from the current standard under the Federal welfare reform program. I fully expect that the most able-bodied adults who occupy housing financed by this bill will already meet the standards laid out in my amendment. This amendment simply guarantees that taxpayer-financed housing isn't going to turn into free housing for able-bodied adults who are unwilling to work or contribute to society. I believe that we should be in the business of providing low-income Americans who are struggling for stability with a hand up, not a handout. If you were part of the bipartisan coalition who supported including work requirements in welfare reform, then I strongly urge you to support this proposal as well. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American hero, Jimmie White from Yuma, Colorado. Jimmie volunteered to serve in the United States Military in the late 1960's. He was part of the MCB 10 Construction Battalion of the Seabees. He served two tours in Vietnam. The first tour (1968) was in Quang Tri during the Tet Offensive. His second tour (1968-1969) was at Camp Haines with detachments to Dan Nang, Dong Ha, An Lo, LZ Sally, Phong dien, Phu Bai (all close to the DMZ), and he supported efforts at Hill 937 (Hamburger Hill). During his time of service, Jimmie received the following commendations and medals: Good Conduct, Marine Commendation, Vietnam Service Medal, 2 Stars and a Presidential Citation from the late President Lyndon Johnson. Jimmie came home, married and started a business. He and his wife Carol raised 4 children, Michelle Hewitt, Jeannine White, Tony White and Dawn Chancellor, and he never forgot his brothers and sisters who served and died for this nation. Jimmie has served as Veterans of Foreign Wars Commander for VFW Post 3378 in Yuma for a number of years. During his time as active Commander he has seen the establishment of a Color Guard that serves those who have died and reminds the living of the sacrifice of our military men and women around the globe at all times. Jimmie also gave a great amount of time and effort to draw attention to the healthcare needs of the Veterans living in northeast Colorado. A Community Based Outpatient Veteran's Clinic has now been approved with plans to open this fall in Burlington, Colorado. It serves as a reminder of what one man's persistence can accomplish. Some of the proudest moments of Jimmie's service with the VFW have come from his work with Roger Lair and Tom Valle. Together they have seen the beginnings of a Young Marines Chapter in Yuma, they have helped handicapped Veterans attend community events, and they have participated in a Veteran's Day meeting at the local middle school for Yuma area Veterans. One of Jimmie's crowning achievements, with the combined efforts of many, was the completion of a new Veteran's Memorial built at Veteran's Park in Yuma, Colorado. Fully paid for with private donations, it was dedicated this past July 4, 2007 to a large crowd of proud American citizens. Jimmie White comes from the heartland of America and when the time came for him to serve, he volunteered. When time came for him to sacrifice, he did so without question. When the call came for him to hoist the colors of this nation, not on the battlefield around the globe, but in the heart and soul of his community, Jimmie White served Yuma County and the State of Colorado well. Our precious veterans are heroes who have left their homes to defend our nation, and then returned to be valued members of their communities, showing their children and grandchildren how to live meaningful lives of service. I want to take this brief moment to honor Jimmie White for the sacrifices that he made and his continued commitment to all of those who serve our great nation in the profession of arms. I applaud Jimmie for his courage and selfless dedication to duty. Jimmie truly is the embodiment of all the values that have molded America into the great nation it is today. May God bless Jimmie and his family, may God bless our precious veterans, and may God bless America.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the seventh annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. Last weekend, thousands of people gathered at Denver's Sloan's Lake Park for 2 days of Asian cuisine, performing artists, crafts, and even a dragon boat race on the lake. Over the course of its short history, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival has seen a tremendous growth in interest from the community. The festival drew an estimated 16,000 spectators in 2001. This year, organizers expected over 100,000 people to attend the festival. Since its inception in 2001, the festival continues to highlight Colorado's rich pan-Asian American heritage, This year the festival featured the ``Explore Asia'' area that will house educational displays and demonstrations from the Mongolian, Hmong and Vietnamese communities. Madam Speaker, I am honored to represent a State with such a vibrant and active Asian-American community. The annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival does much to highlight the many contributions the Asian- American community makes to our State and our Nation. I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating the seventh annual Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this discussion is becoming very familiar as we go through these appropriations bills. This bill is $2.2 billion over the President's request. That is a percentage of 4.2 percent. It is $1.6 billion over last year's amount with an increase of 3.1 percent over last year. My amendment would take the increase from 3.1 percent to 2.6 percent. Mr. Chairman, I have thought a lot about this. This has especially been on my mind today as we are getting ready to vote on the farm bill in the afternoon. When I think about raising taxes to pay for these programs, there is not anyone in here that is doubting the worthiness of the way we are spending dollars in this bill. I personally have a son-in-law that is a police officer, so when you talk to me about bulletproof vests, that is something that I think about when I think about the young man that is married to my daughter and the father of my three grandchildren. So I want to say these are worthy things that we are spending these dollars on. But we have to realize there is not an infinite supply of money that just falls out of the sky. We have taxpayers that fund all of these programs. And while the programs are worthy, and I support an increase, I merely want to take the increase from 3.1 to 2.6 percent. As we get ready to consider the farm bill today, during the markup of the farm bill I offered an amendment, and my amendment basically said we would have a sense of Congress that the programs in the farm bill would not be paid for by a tax increase. Unfortunately, the chairman ruled that my amendment was out of order and it was not germane. Yesterday, while we had a discussion with the Secretary of Agriculture over the farm bill, he said that perhaps Mrs. Musgrave's amendment was the most germane of all the amendments, because we are looking at an enormous tax increase to pay for the farm bill. In the Fourth District of Colorado, we have about 2 million cattle. We are eighth in the country in total value of egg production. We have an enormous dependence upon agriculture in our district. The whole northeastern and southeastern part of the State depends on agriculture as the basis of their economy. We were told all along during the farm bill discussion that we were not going to have a tax increase. In fact, if I may quote the chairman, when I offered my amendment, he said, ``Nobody is talking about a tax increase here.'' Now, today, we have the farm bill coming up on the floor, and we have a tax increase. I had to call the Farm Bureau today, my friends at the Farm Bureau. I talked to the Farmers Union. I talked to the wheat growers, the cattlemen, corn growers, telling the folks that now the rug has been pulled out from under us on this farm bill. We had an agreement. We no longer have an agreement. We are looking at a tax increase. Rural America, not just the Fourth District of Colorado, is looking in today to see what we do with the farm bill, and I am very disappointed that now we are looking at a tax increase. When we think about the taxpayer out there, just average Americans, they work clear up into April to pay their taxes. April 30 is ``tax freedom day.'' I would like to have each young person that is getting ready to enter the workforce think about that. You work all through January, you work through February, you work through March, you work through April before you get to quit paying for government. When you think about it, Americans work longer to pay for government than they do for food, clothing and housing combined. We need to show some discipline here, just a mere 0.5 percent. Again, increase the spending for these worthy needs, but take it from 3.1 to 2.6 percent. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. King).

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Florida.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Blackburn).

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Georgia (Mr. Westmoreland).

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I ponder much of what the gentleman has just said. I certainly know about the scourge of methamphetamine in my district. As I said before, I have a son-in-law that I love dearly that's a policeman, so, Mr. Chairman, I hope the other side is not implying that we do not have concerns about these issues, because we do. Another thing that I know, having talked to many police officers, one thing that they would really like to see is families raising their children, moms and dads caring for their children, nurturing them and teaching them and trying to steer them away from the very destructive path of getting on things like methamphetamine and just seeing their lives spiral downward. So you know what I'm standing up for today, Mr. Chairman? I'm standing up for the American taxpayer. And, you know, maybe we do need a dictionary, and maybe we do need a thesaurus, and maybe we need to talk about semantics, but I want to say that we are looking at a situation here where the appetite is insatiable for increased spending. It's insatiable. There is a day of reckoning. You know those charts that my dear friends, the Blue Dogs, put outside their office now. It's not $8.8 trillion. It's $8.9 trillion and growing. There is a day of reckoning. Those taxpayers that have to work until April 30 to get to tax freedom day, I mean, they're thinking about this spending in this Nation. No matter how worthy the cause, we need spending restraint. We need to get on a path of fiscal discipline, and the American people understand that. No matter how worthy the cause for the spending is, there is a limited amount of dollars that the taxpayers can afford to pay. So I'm hoping that we will move in the right direction, and I hope that we can have support for this modest 50 cents on $100 amendment.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. Madam Chairman, I come tonight to this floor with a very similar attitude that most of us on this side of the aisle are feeling. We have worked together on this farm bill, worked in good faith with the chairman and the subcommittee chairman. And as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops and Rural Development, I can say that the most important work in Congress that I have been doing is on this farm bill. But in the markup committee process, Madam Chairman, I offered an amendment with a sense of Congress being that there would be no tax increases to pay for this farm bill. And the chairman of the committee, Madam Chairman, ruled it out of order, and his words were, ``No one here is talking about a tax increase.'' So, we've gone in good faith in developing this farm bill, but now all bets are off because we were not told the truth, and we find ourselves tonight in the very awkward position of having to oppose a farm bill that we helped craft because of the tax increase.

Mrs. MUSGRAVE

Mrs. MUSGRAVE. I thank the gentleman for yielding the time. Madam Chairman, I stand in strong opposition to the Kind-Flake amendment. We are looking at a time where we have concerns about trade. We have to realize that cutting direct payments raids our most WTO-compliant and nondistorting mechanism that stabilizes the United States agriculture and rural economies. These direct payments are decoupled from production. Some people don't know this, but they do not encourage overproduction. This amendment would weaken us in our position in trade negotiations through a unilateral disarmament on agriculture policy. I really believe that this threatens the long-term viability and competitiveness of U.S. agriculture in a global marketplace still characterized by subsidized foreign competition and continued trade barriers. In rural America, this would reduce our land values, our tax base, and cause potential disruptions and collateral for our farm loans. Immediately, we would see farm equity disappear. The Americans have expectations of a safe, affordable food supply. Oppose the Kind-Flake amendment.