[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 89 (Monday, June 17, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1097]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE AMERICAN VITICULTURE AND ENOLOGY RESEARCH NETWORK

                                 ______


                          HON. ELIZABETH FURSE

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, June 17, 1996

  Ms. FURSE. Mr. Speaker, a very important conference took place last 
week in Washington, DC. Its purpose was to create the foundation of the 
American Viticulture and Enology Research Network [AVERN].
  AVERN is a new private-State-Federal partnership composed of wine 
industry leaders and researchers that could be a model for all of 
agriculture. I was proud to lead the effort to encourage the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture to participate in this network, which should 
lead to an efficient allocation of resources that will well serve our 
producers and the taxpayers.
  This week, the leaders of AVERN have put in place the network to 
coordinate the solicitation of problems and needs from the industry 
nationwide. This network will further define those problems and 
identify potential solutions. It will prioritize the needs on a 
national basis and then set up the mechanisms to search for funding to 
solve these problems on a national level.
  Another initiative integral to the wine industry is the Pacific 
Northwest Small Fruits Research Center. I have worked to ensure Federal 
funding for it, because I believe this is the kind of investment the 
Federal Government should be making. It is important to note that this 
center is also financially supported by the grape and wine growers and 
those who produce other berries including strawberries, blackberries, 
boysenberries, and cranberries.
  Federal investment in research is extremely cost effective. Both 
AVERN and the Small Fruits Research Center are outstanding programs and 
I commend everyone involved with them.

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