[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 146 (Saturday, October 8, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 8, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  FEDERAL CROP INSURANCE REFORM AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
                           REORGANIZATION ACT

                                 ______


                               speech of

                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 3, 1994

  Mrs. THURMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the conference report 
on the reorganization of the Department of Agriculture. I especially 
want to express my unequivocal support for the newly created Office of 
Risk Assessment and Cost Benefit Analysis within USDA. I want to 
congratulate my friend and colleague from California, Mr. Condit, for 
his tireless efforts on this important issue.
  This is a historic moment: for the first time, a Federal department 
will be utilizing the vital management tools of risk assessment and 
cost/benefit analyses in formulating sound public policy.
  I believe that now is the time to expand the scope of risk assessment 
and cost benefit analysis beyond USDA to all Federal agencies and 
department. Risk assessment and cost/benefit analysis will help the 
Federal Government allocate scarce resources and create good public 
policy.
  Under the current deficit climate in which we must allocate the 
taxpayers' money as wisely as possible, we must consider the economic 
impact of Federal regulations on State and local governments and 
industry while, at the same time, ensuring that human health, safety, 
and the environment are protected. This is an extremely daunting task. 
In a perfect fiscal world, we would have unlimited funds to eliminate 
the serious health and environmental threats facing our Nation today. 
However, reality dictates that we make due with the scarce resources 
available.
  Like many Members of this body, I have a background in State and 
local government. I served as mayor of a small north-central Florida 
town and then in the Florida Senate. I have first-hand knowledge of the 
financial burden that Federal regulations place on our local and State 
governments. Risk assessment and cost/benefit analysis would prioritize 
the most serious threats to our citizens, and we here in the House can 
then appropriate the necessary money.
  I will continue to fight to incorporate risk assessment and cost/
benefit analysis throughout every Federal Agency and Department.

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