[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 112 (Friday, July 26, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  FOOD QUALITY PROTECTION ACT OF 1996

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. CHARLES W. STENHOLM

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 23, 1996

  Mr. STENHOLM. Mr. Speaker, can we fault the legislative process in 
any way in bringing forth this bill? I don't think so.
  Was a compromise reached? With much give and take, yes.
  Is this the very best policy for all parties concerned? I am sure 
some have reservations about that.
  Do I still have reservations? Most definitely. This is not same Food 
Quality Protection Act that I originally cosponsored.
  However, knowing full well that the jury is still out, and will be 
for some time, on the success of this major piece of legislation, we 
have to first look at its evolution--years of debate and struggle to 
reach the middle ground and now, finally, almost overnight, the end is 
in sight. Perhaps this suddenness after so long of a time where nothing 
seemed possible has made me a little overcautious. Perhaps in hindsight 
too much was left on the table. Every concerned party could make these 
arguments today. You can about most any legislation offered that 
finally becomes law, but can you argue that the process was 
circumvented? Not very easily.
  There would be few to deny that passing this legislation this year 
was a top priority. I have always pushed for reform based on sound 
science and will continue to do so. H.R. 1627 makes a move in that 
direction. Let us take this opportunity to address these issues in that 
light. I respect the process and the need to move when the opportunity 
presents itself, but I remind you that agriculture must be diligent in 
striving for a good compromise. I believe the most important thing to 
remember with this legislation is to hold a belief--or if you don't 
have the belief, work on developing one--that focuses on the future and 
instills faith that common sense coupled with scientific reason will 
always provide a reasonable solution to such complex issues as this.

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