[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 59 (Thursday, May 2, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4636]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     THE MARK AND GARY BEEF PLEDGE

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, cattle producers in my State of 
Iowa and across the country are facing substantial economic hardship. 
Record-high grain and feed costs, low hay reserves, drought conditions, 
and an oversupply of beef are compounding the problem of a 10-year-low 
cattle market. I am pleased the administration has taken to heart our 
proposals to assist the sagging cattle market. Allowing haying and 
grazing on CRP acres is necessary to alleviate the high feed costs and 
a large beef purchase by the U.S. Government should help turn the tide.
  Speaking of helping to turn the tide, a farm broadcasting duo in 
central Iowa has embarked on a campaign to promote beef consumption in 
the State of Iowa. Gary Wergin and Mark Pearson of WHO-Radio in Des 
Moines, IA are calling on their Heartland listeners to take a pledge. 
As one who proudly and easily accepted their challenge to eat just one 
more serving of beef a week, I submit ``The Mark and Gary Beef Pledge'' 
into the Congressional Record. By working together, Iowans can make a 
difference.
  The material follows:

                     The Mark and Gary Beef Pledge

       I, Chuck Grassley, am a proud consumer of beef be it 
     broiled, roasted or grilled. I respect the efforts of all 
     those, from the farm to the supermarket, who make American 
     beef the safest in the world. At this time of low prices, I 
     can help in the most delightful way . . . by consuming more 
     beef. I therefore pledge to boost my beef consumption by one 
     serving per week, while staying within dietary guidelines.

     Chuck Grassley.

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