[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 21 (Thursday, February 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E251]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                TRIBUTE TO THE AGRICULTURE ADVISORY BOARD

                                 ______


                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, February 2, 1995
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a group of 
individuals who have been of great service to me during the past 2 
years. This group is the Agriculture Advisory Board for the 12th 
Congressional District of Illinois. The Ag Advisory Board met several 
times throughout the 103d Congress, including one meeting where members 
met with then-Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy.
  The last 2 years were challenging ones for the agricultural 
community. In the summer of 1993, nearly every county in my district 
was declared a Federal disaster area due to severe flooding. The flood, 
of course, had a major impact on the agricultural community. While my 
office was helping individuals deal with the disaster associated with 
the flood, I was thankful for the vital role each advisory board member 
played in being an ambassador for me by sharing information about flood 
relief to other farmers in their community.
  A major success for agriculture in the 103d Congress was the 
inclusion of ethanol in the reformulated gasoline program. The 
increased use of ethanol in cities that are not in compliance with 
Clean Air Act standards will help increase the value of corn, our 
State's most abundant crop. The Ag Advisory Board members led their 
peers in contacting administration and congressional officials about 
elevating the role of ethanol.
  I commend each member for giving of his time and insights to help me 
make well-informed decisions. The members of my Agriculture Advisory 
Committee during the 103d Congress were Mike Campbell of Edwardsville, 
John Deterding of Modoc, Lawrence Dietz of DeSoto, Edwin Edleman of 
Anna, Greg Guenther of Belleville, Craig Keller of Collinsville, Marion 
Kennell of Thompsonville, Vernon Mayer of Cutler, Dave 
Mueller of East Alton, Larry Reinneck of Freeburg, Bill Schulte of 
Trenton, Jim Taflinger of Cache, and Lyle Wessel of Columbia.
  I am pleased that these gentlemen will be staying on the Ag Advisory 
Board during the 104th Congress. Because of a limited amount of Federal 
dollars, each member's input will be critical to me as I review the 
various Federal programs contained in the farm bill. I look forward to 
working with each member on agricultural matters during the 104th 
Congress. I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing these 
individuals.


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