[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 1 (Tuesday, January 7, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E68]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       AGRICULTURE ADVISORY BOARD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, January 7, 1997

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of a group of 
individuals who have been of great service to me during the past 2 
years. This group is the Agriculture Advisory Board for the 12th 
Congressional District of Illinois. The 13 members of the Ag Advisory 
Board members represent each of the nine counties in the district. The 
group met several times throughout the 104th Congress.
  This last Congress will be memorable one for the agricultural 
community. The recently implemented Farm Bill of 1996 has changed the 
way producers receive payments from the Federal Government. These 
payments, set at specified decreasing amounts each year for the next 
seven years, replaces the former system of deficiency payments, which 
payed farmers based on market conditions. The legislation also 
recognizes the need for greater exports of our American-grown 
commodities. Illinois is a leader in the production of corn, wheat and 
soybeans. The opportunities for greater exporting will improve the 
economy in each member's town and throughout the state.
  I commented each member for giving of his time and insights to help 
make well-informed decisions. The members of my Agriculture Advisory 
Committee during the 104th Congress were Mike Campbell of Edwardsville, 
John Deterding of Modoc, Lawrence Dietz of DeSoto, Edwin Edleman of 
Anna, Greg Guenther of Belleville, Craig Keller of Collinsville, Marion 
Kennell of Thompsonville, Vernon Mayer of Culter, Dave Mueller of East 
Alton, Larry Reinneck of Freeburg, Bill Schulte of Trenton, Jim 
Taflinger of Cache, and Lyle Wessel of Columbia.
  I am pleased that these gentlemen will be staying on the Ag Advisory 
Board during the 105th Congress. The Farm Bill has brought about 
spending cuts in many farm programs, and each board member's input will 
be critical to me as I review the various Federal programs in an 
oversight and appropriations capacity. I look forward to working with 
each member on agricultural matters during the 105th Congress. I ask my 
colleagues to join me in recognizing these individuals.

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