[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 103 (Monday, July 21, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S7777]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          USDA REORGANIZATION

 Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I rise today to talk briefly about 
the recent consolidation of administrative functions at the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, recently announced by Secretary Dan 
Glickman.
  In my contact with Secretary Glickman he has said that the changes 
are being aimed at the national headquarters and State offices, but 
that there will be no additional field office closings or cut in 
services as a result of this directive.
  Secretary Glickman has also informed me that an outside study is 
being commissioned to assess the workload of parts of the agency, in 
light of current and anticipated program activity, and will report on 
recommendations on the county delivery systems.
  The recent administrative convergence by the Secretary is an effort 
to make the USDA a more efficient and cost-effective agency. No doubt, 
to streamline the agency and improve efficiency, there is a need to 
eliminate any duplication of administrative services. However, there is 
also a need to maintain a vital local field staff with the necessary 
resources available to them so that they can deliver services to our 
producers.
  As the USDA continues to make adjustments to its operations, I will 
continue to work with the Secretary and solicit feedback from our local 
Nebraska offices.
  The Freedom to Farm Act of 1996, for better or worse, has brought us 
into a new era of our farm program. To some extent producers, Members 
of Congress, and USDA staff are entering unchartered waters. I will be 
diligent in my efforts in making sure the USDA, and Congress, is up to 
the navigational task.

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