[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 125 (Thursday, September 12, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10401-S10402]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FARM CREDIT ADMINISTRATION BOARD

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Will the distinguished Chairman of the Senate 
Agriculture Committee yield for a question?
  Mr. LUGAR. Yes, I will yield for a question.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. The Farm Credit System is the vital backbone of 
American agriculture providing needed financing for many components of 
agriculture. The FCS is regulated by the Farm Credit Administration. 
There has been a vacancy on the FCA Board since the resignation of 
Board member Gary Byrne on March 31, 1995. Under previous agreement 
with the President, the name of a highly qualified Iowan, Ann 
Jorgenson, was referred in August 1995 to the White House with the 
understanding that the President would send her name to the Senate for 
confirmation. To date, the White House has neglected to act on the 
nomination. This Senator feels that the lack of a full Board is very 
disruptive to the smooth operation of the Farm Credit System.
  Can the Chairman share with the Senate any information which he may 
have on the nomination and whether or not the Senate will be able to 
act on it this Congress?
  Mr. LUGAR. The Senator is correct that a vacancy has existed on the 
three-member Farm Credit Administration Board since March 31, 1995. The 
Senate majority leader, Bob Dole, sent the name of Ann Jorgenson to the 
President in June 1995 to fill a Republican vacancy at the Farm Credit 
Administration. The Committee has not received any notification from 
the White House regarding Ann Jorgenson's nomination. If the President 
does not formally nominate Ms. Jorgenson, the Committee and the Senate 
will be unable to act on the appointment this Congress and the Board 
will continue without its full complement of members.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. I have personally known Ann Jorgenson for many years 
and I am very impressed with her accomplishments, her commitment to 
American agriculture, and her work and knowledge in the business world. 
She has developed business plans and goals, written software for farm 
accounting, spoken numerous times at agricultural seminars on various 
agriculture topics, and has authored a book on putting paperwork in its 
place. She also serves on board of the Farm Bureau Mutual Fund. She has 
an admirable record of public service to the State of Iowa, having 
served as a member of the board of regents, which oversees Iowa's three 
State universities. Currently, Ann is a board member of the Iowa 
Department of Economic Development. The list goes on extensively.
  Once the administration formally nominates Ms. Jorgenson and the 
Agriculture Committee has an opportunity to review her record and 
qualifications, I am convinced that the Senator will conclude that she 
is a highly qualified person for the position.
  Mr. LUGAR. I look forward to having the opportunity to examine her 
qualifications. Her reputation is an excellent one.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. Would the Senator, chairman of the Senate Agriculture 
Committee, join with me in urging the President to fill the vacancy on 
the Board of the Farm Credit System so that we may complete the 
confirmation process this Congress?
  Mr. LUGAR. I join the Sentor in urging the President to fill the 
vacancy on the FCS Board. The vacancy on the Board has existed for over 
a year now and the Board's daily oversight of the safety and soundness 
of the farm credit system would be greatly enhanced with a full Board.
  Mr. GRASSLEY. I ask unanimous consent that letters in support of Ann 
Jorgenson be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letters were ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:


                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                        Washington, June 28, 1996.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: Nearly one year ago, then Majority 
     Leader Senator Bob Dole sent to you the name of Ann Jorgensen 
     to fill a

[[Page S10402]]

     Republican vacancy at the Farm Credit Administration. Her 
     name has yet to be sent to the Senate for confirmation. I 
     strongly support her nomination and ask that you send her 
     name to the Senate as soon as possible.
       The Farm Credit Administration is facing significant issues 
     with regard to the Farm Credit System. It can best address 
     these issues with a full complement of members on its Board. 
     Ann Jorgensen has the background and experience to deal with 
     these issues knowledgeably and thoroughly. As a former member 
     of the Iowa Board of Regents, business owner, current member 
     of the Iowa Department of Economic Development Board, author, 
     and farm wife, she would bring a wealth of much needed 
     experience to the Farm Credit Administration.
       I stand ready to assist you with this nomination.
           Sincerely,
                                              Charles E. Grassley,
     U.S. Senator.
                                                                    ____



                                       Office of the Governor,

                                  Des Moines, Iowa, July 18, 1996.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I am writing to highly recommend Ann 
     Jorgensen of Vinton, Iowa, for a Republican position on the 
     board of the Farm Credit Administration. It is my 
     understanding that former Majority Leader Bob Dole sent you 
     her name last year.
       Ann Jorgensen is an individual I have called on many times 
     to serve the State of Iowa. She is currently on one of our 
     most important state boards, the Iowa Department of Economic 
     Development board. She has also served on the Interstate 
     Agricultural Grain Marketing Commission, the Iowa Alcoholic 
     Beverages Commission, the State Board of Regents, and the 
     Iowa Arts Council. Her service in all of these capacities has 
     been exemplary.
       I am confident that Ann Jorgensen would be a fine addition 
     to the board of the Farm Credit Administration as she has an 
     extensive background in agriculture and agribusiness.
       The Farm Credit Administration has a very important role in 
     overseeing the Farm Credit System, which is a significant 
     source of capital for rural America. As this board deals with 
     some critical issues in the years ahead, it is important that 
     the board have a full slate of members.
       Ann Jorgensen has my highest recommendation.
           Sincerely,
                                                Terry E. Branstad,
     Governor of Iowa.
                                                                    ____



                            National Corn Growers Association,

                                    Washington, DC, July 19, 1996.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: On behalf of the farmer members of the 
     National Corn Growers Association, I urge you to send to the 
     Senate the nomination of Ann Jorgensen of Iowa to serve on 
     the Farm Credit Administration Board. The Board has been 
     without a third member for more than a year. If the 
     nomination does not proceed soon, it will not be possible to 
     complete Senate confirmation before this Congress adjourns.
       The Farm Credit Administration Board serves a critical role 
     in regulating the Farm Credit System and ensuring an adequate 
     and flexible flow of money into rural areas. This statutory 
     responsibility will be ever more important as farmers and 
     their lenders refine the skills necessary to manage both 
     production and price risk.
       Ann Jorgensen is especially qualified to make certain that 
     the Farm Credit System achieves its statutory goal of making 
     credit available to farmers and ranchers and their 
     cooperatives and for rural residences. Her impressive resume 
     includes a strong, personal background in production 
     agriculture, business development, and trade, as well as, 
     extensive experience in rural economic development. This 
     unique combination is exactly the mix rural America needs to 
     continue to share in the country's economic recovery.
       We strongly urge you to nominate Ann Jorgensen as soon as 
     possible, to restore the Farm Credit Administration Board to 
     its full complement of three members.
           Sincerely,
                                                     Bill Northey,
     President.
                                                                    ____



                                 American Soybean Association,

                                     St. Louis, MO, July 15, 1996.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: The American Soybean Association 
     respectfully urges you to nominate Ann Jorgensen of Iowa to 
     fill the vacant position on the Farm Credit Administration 
     Board. Unless this nomination is sent to the Senate soon, it 
     will be impossible to complete the confirmation process 
     before Congress adjourns.
       The Farm Credit Administration Board plays a critical role 
     in regulating the Farm Credit System and in ensuring adequate 
     credit is available to production agriculture and other 
     borrowers in rural America. These functions are particularly 
     important during the current period of volatile commodity 
     prices, as farmers, ranchers, and their lenders manage 
     increased risk and finance future production costs.
       We know Ann Jorgensen to be a highly qualified individual 
     who would be a valuable member of the Farm Credit 
     Administration Board. Her extensive background in production 
     agriculture and rural economic development is ideally suited 
     to the task of overseeing the Farm Credit System. Her 
     experience and perspective would perfectly complement the 
     qualifications of the other members of the Board.
       The American Soybean Association strongly urges you to 
     nominate Ann Jorgensen, and to bring the Farm Credit 
     Administration Board up to its full complement of three 
     members.
           Sincerely yours,
                                                        John Long,
     President.
                                                                    ____



                                     Iowa Soybean Association,

                               West Des Moines, IA, July 15, 1996.
     Hon. William J. Clinton,
     President, The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I would like to take this opportunity 
     to offer the support of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) 
     for the appointment of Ann Jorgensen to fill the vacant 
     position on the three member board of the Farm Credit 
     Administration.
       Ann Jorgensen understands agricultural economics and 
     possesses the entrepreneurial spirit that has built a 
     successful business. Her many credentials include membership 
     on the Board of Regents for the State of Iowa and numerous 
     Iowa economic development boards. She is a community leader 
     and a recognized volunteer. Additionally, Senators Grassley 
     and Harkin support her nomination and are confident that she 
     would be a credible candidate for Senate confirmation 
     hearings.
       ISA reaffirms its support for Mrs. Jorgensen, but would 
     also like to communicate the need to have all positions 
     filled on the Farm Credit Administration's Board. These are 
     extremely volatile times for farmers and it is important 
     financial institutions that are a part of the Farm Credit 
     System have the direction to keep agriculture a successful 
     industry.
       Again, thank you for the opportunity to offer ISA's support 
     for the appointment of Ann Jorgensen.
           Sincerely,
                                              Douglas P. Lindgren,
     President.
                                                                    ____



                                  Iowa Farm Bureau Federation,

                                    Des Moines, IA, July 29, 1996.
     Hon. Bill Clinton,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. President: I would like to take this opportunity 
     to offer support for the appointment of Ann Jorgensen of 
     Garrison, Iowa, to fill the vacant position on the three-
     member board of the Farm Credit Administration.
       This position has been vacant longer than it should be and 
     is a concern of the agriculture community. Whatever the 
     reason for this position not being filled it is more 
     important than ever, because of the new farm bill and the 
     environment that it will create, that a full board be in 
     place.
       Ann Jorgensen is an extremely talented and articulate 
     person who has a broad experience base that would be helpful 
     in this position. Number one, she is a successful farmer but 
     also has served on many state boards that needed her 
     excellent judgment abilities. Ann also has what I consider a 
     critical skill needed in any form of business or government 
     institution and that is common sense judgment.
       I sincerely ask that you consider Ann for the board 
     position. This position needs to be filled and the 
     agriculture community will be well served to have Ann fill 
     that position.
           Sincerely,
                                                   Ed Wiederstein,
     President.
                                                                    ____



                                      Norwest Bank Iowa, N.A.,

                                   Des Moines, IA, August 8, 1996.
     The President,
     The White House,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear President Clinton: As you review the candidates to 
     nominate for the Republican vacancy at the Farm Credit 
     Administration, there is one name that should rise to the top 
     of the nomination list. Ann Jorgensen, whose name was 
     submitted to you a year ago by former Majority Leader Bob 
     Dole, is one of Iowa's foremost agricultural leasers; she is 
     a woman who has devoted her life to championing farm issues 
     on the local, state and national levels.
       Ann's credentials for this position speak for themselves. 
     She is a farm owner, an agri-business owner, an economic 
     development leader, a renowned consultant and an author and 
     columnist for agricultural publications. Ann is a true 
     visionary who relies on her extensive experience in the ag 
     industry to articulate, anticipate and analyze farm issues. 
     Her established contacts, solid reputation and first-hand 
     knowledge would make her an exceptional addition to the board 
     of the Farm Credit Administration.
       The Farm Credit Administration only stands to benefit from 
     the addition of a member of Ann's caliber. Thank you for your 
     consideration in this matter.
           Warm regards,
     H. Lynn Horak.
     
                               ____________________