[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 29, 1995)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4799-S4800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 ORDER FOR VOTE ON GLICKMAN NOMINATION

  Mr. DOLE. I ask unanimous consent that the vote occur on the 
confirmation of Mr. Glickman at 10:25 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 1995.
  Mr. President, I further ask unanimous consent that following the 
vote on the confirmation of Mr. Glickman, the President be immediately 
notified of the Senate's action and the Senate return to legislative 
session.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, Senator Hatfield is here, and if Members on 
either side have amendments that could be disposed of this evening 
following the discussion of the Glickman nomination, which I do not 
think will take very long, he would be prepared to do that.
  I yield the floor.
  Mr. LEAHY addressed the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont is recognized.
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the nomination 
of Dan Glickman to be Secretary of Agriculture. Dan and I have worked 
together on four farm bills.
  No matter how active or informed the members of the Committee on 
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry are, we cannot put together a good 
farm bill without an active administration. I know personally from 
speaking to the President that Dan Glickman has his confidence. Mr. 
Glickman has the President's mandate to develop a farm bill that makes 
sense for both rural Americans and the taxpayers of this country as a 
whole.
  I know that Dan Glickman will be an ideal person to represent this 
administration as we try to develop farm policies that make sense for 
farmers, for consumers, for the environment, and for this country.
  Dan Glickman was born in Wichita on November 24, 1944. He was first 
elected to Congress in 1976--just 2 years after I began my service in 
the Senate.
  As a veteran of the House Agriculture Committee, he has mastered the 
arcane details of U.S. farm programs.
  Again and again in his career he has fought to focus farm subsidies 
on low-and middle-income farmers and tried to increase Federal 
oversight of the commodity futures markets.
  These are battles in which I am proud I was allied with him.
  One of the things that I like best about Dan Glickman is his self-
deprecating sense of humor. This was highlighted in a recent story in 
the New York Times. Mr. Glickman was joking about the Capitol's 
notorious reputation for abandoning those out of power. Mr. Glickman 
said, ``The only one working in the family now is our son and he won't 
take our calls.''
  On the night of his election loss Congressman Glickman commented: ``I 
liken it to a bear market; sometimes the good stocks got hit every bit 
as much as the bad stocks. In this case, I think I was a good stock.''
  Fortunately, for all of us, the stock market has shifted direction 
again. How high Dan Glickman's stock has risen again will be clear 
tonight when he is overwhelmingly approved by the Senate.
  Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, as the longest sitting member of the Senate 
Agriculture Committee, I welcome the administrations choice to appoint 
Dan Glickman as Secretary of Agriculture. I have worked with Dan 
Glickman as a Congressman from the State of Kansas for a number of 
years. I can attest to his commitment to agricultural issues and I know 
the qualifications that he brings to the job.
  Throughout his 18 years in Congress, he earned a reputation as a 
Congressman who understands the issues, who listens, and who works with 
his colleagues to find common ground.
  Congressman Pat Roberts, Senator Nancy Kassebaum, and I introduced 
Dan to the Senate Agriculture Committee. I think that it is very 
significant that we three Republicans support this nomination. We may 
all share a Kansas background, but more importantly we know from 
working with Dan that he is more interested in solving problems than 
scoring partisan points.
  His experience speaks for itself. He has helped write the last four 
farm bills--the last one as the chairman of the Subcommittee on Wheat, 
Soybeans and Feed Grains. We all know that the 1995 farm bill will be 
difficult to write. The Agriculture Committee's recent hearings have 
hinted at the tough choices that lie ahead. We will need an 
experienced, committed advocate at the Department of Agriculture. Dan 
Glickman recognizes the weaknesses and strengths in our current 
policies, and the fiscal constraints that will play an important role 
in shaping our future policies. Above all, he realizes that the 
foundation of our Nation is American Agriculture.
  Mr. President, the people of Kansas are proud of Dan Glickman. I am 
pleased to recommend him to be Secretary of Agriculture. I, too, hope 
there will be an overwhelming vote.
  Mrs. KASSEBAUM. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 
nomination of Dan Glickman to become the next Secretary of Agriculture. 
Dan and I are long-time friends, and share a mutual appreciation and 
admiration for an agriculture system that provides the wholesome, 
abundant, and inexpensive food supply that all Americans now enjoy.
  For the past 18 years, Dan has ably and effectively served 
agriculture as a Member of the House of Representatives, representing 
Kansas' Fourth District. During his tenure, Dan provided outstanding 
leadership as a member of the House Committee on Agriculture. Many of 
us recognize the important role Dan has played in the effort to help 
U.S. agriculture compete in an increasingly global marketplace by 
expanding and strengthening our country's export programs. Dan also has 
been instrumental in congressional efforts to improve U.S. grain 
quality standards, making our commodity exports more attractive to 
potential foreign buyers.
  I know Dan to be a competent, thoughtful, and articulate spokesman 
for agriculture. He has forged strong relationships with producers, 
agribusinesses, and legislators. These relationships will prove 
invaluable as he begins his work as Secretary of Agriculture.
  Mr. President, rural communities depend on a vibrant and prosperous 
agriculture industry to support schools, churches, hospitals, community 
organizations, and main street businesses. I firmly believe that a key 
to our economic prosperity is the continued emphasis on American 
exports. During this year's farm bill debate, we must commit ourselves 
to crafting agriculture policy that allows our producers to compete in 
the 21st century, global marketplace, strengthening our rural 
communities in the process. It is also imperative that we continue to 
look for ways to improve effective programs, while eliminating costly, 
obsolete programs. Dan Glickman will play a vital role in achieving 
this ambitious, yet attainable goal.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I rise today in support of the 
confirmation of Dan Glickman as the Secretary of Agriculture.
  The post of Secretary of Agriculture is important to this Senator and 
vital to American agriculture. His confirmation will bring an 
outstanding advocate for farmers to the Clinton administration.
  Agriculture in this Nation is very diverse. While on the surface 
Kansas and Montana agriculture are similar--we produce wheat and beef--
there are some significant differences as well. And there are myriad 
variations in the agricultural industry which is found across this 
Nation.
  As we focus our attention on the 1995 farm bill, he will bring an 
expertise to this debate which will be critical and beneficial to all--
but especially to our farmers. His experience, knowledge, and skill 
will help us guide farm policy into the 21st century. I look forward to 
working with him on that important task.
  With the confirmation of Dan Glickman, I am confident that help is on 
the way in dealing with several crises facing Montana. While I am 
concerned about the closure of the region I Forest 
[[Page S4800]] Service office in Missoula, MT, I hope that Secretary 
Glickman will review the Forest Service reorganization plan and that he 
will stop any actions which make no sense--like the proposed Missoula 
closure.
  Although I remain concerned about the need for expanded agricultural 
research and stability within the Agricultural Research Service, I know 
that before stations are closed, Secretary Glickman will help identify 
critical research and make certain such research is not unnecessarily 
eliminated just to show that locations are being cut.
  Finally, today I am heartened that we will soon see a heightened 
sense of cooperation between the Department of Agriculture and the 
Department of the Interior. Whether it is animal damage control on our 
Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management properties or prevention 
of the spread of brucellosis between bison and cattle, I know we can 
expect greater teamwork.
  I am confident that Mr. Glickman is well prepared for the challenges 
ahead of him. I congratulate him and I look forward to rolling up our 
sleeves and getting to work.
  Thank you Mr. President. I yield the floor.
  

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