[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 144 (Thursday, October 6, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 6, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
             RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROVISIONS IN H.R. 4217

  Mr. LEAHY. In the absence of a conference report accompanying H.R. 
4217, I would like to clarify the Senate's intent in regards to the 
agricultural research and education provisions in this legislation.
  Sections 251 and 252 of the bill give the Secretary broad authority 
to reorganize the Department's research and education programs. The 
only limitation on the Secretary's authority is the mandated 
establishment of a new Cooperative State Research, Education, and 
Extension Service.
  Section 252 instructs the Secretary to streamline the research 
program staff in order to minimize duplication and maximize 
coordination of State and Federal research and extension programs. The 
bill neither mandates a particular plan for streamlining staff nor 
places any limits on the Secretary's authority to proceed.
  The Senate, in S. 1970 and the accompanying report language, made 
clear its expectation that the Secretary will streamline the research 
staff by creating a single program policy and coordination staff.
  Nothing in the language of H.R. 4217 would prevent the Secretary from 
creating such a staff. In fact, section 252 clearly gives the Secretary 
that authority. Furthermore, the objectives described in section 252 
closely mirror those found in the report language accompanying S. 1970 
(p. 23-24).
  As the Secretary moves forward to meet these objectives, the Senate 
expects that the Department will maintain strong local and State 
participation in priority setting and program development decisions.

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