[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 55 (Wednesday, May 6, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S4428]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        IN THIS TIME OF HOT AIR TOBACCO FARMERS SHOULD KEEP COOL

  Mr. HELMS. Mr. President, it's fair to say that the so-called tobacco 
``debate''--and I characterize most of the rhetorical chatter as ``so-
called'' because it (1) has amounted to little more than posturing, and 
(2) has created enormous uncertainty and unease for the thousands of 
fine Americans who earn their living in the tobacco industry.
  The public health community (and its ``Amen corner'' in Congress) 
would delight in putting the tobacco companies out of business rather 
than seriously and honestly addressing the issues facing the hundreds 
of communities in North Carolina and other states that are economically 
dependant on the tobacco industry. Mr. President, it's unfortunate that 
this issue has become so politicized that usually rational members of 
Congress have been totally irrational in their exaggeration of the 
entire situation.
  Moreover, Mr. President, it is not anywhere in recorded history that 
anyone ever began smoking because a gun had been leveled at his or her 
head with orders to smoke, or else. There is no Senator who doesn't 
support efforts to curtail youth smoking, and not one parent has come 
forward asserting that Joe Camel and the Marlboro Man have more control 
over their children than they do.
  But all the pious, exaggerated political nonsense aside, farmers must 
continue to grow their legal crop in order to provide for the 
livelihood of their families.
  Sometime back, I promised the farm leaders of North Carolina that I 
would meet with the chief executives of all tobacco companies to 
encourage them to buy the maximum amount of U.S. tobacco possible in 
1998. I have kept that commitment. I have indeed met with the leaders 
of all companies, one by one. Their concern for tobacco farmers, and 
for all other citizens who earn their livings ``in tobacco'', was 
immediate, impressive and sincere.
  There is no doubt in my mind, as a result of these meetings, that 
leaders of the tobacco companies do indeed intend to purchase as much 
U.S. tobacco as possible this marketing season.
  In fact, some CEOs assured me that they plan to purchase more U.S. 
tobacco this marketing season than they purchased in 1997. One company 
leader emphasized his company's plans to increase its purchases of U.S. 
leaf every year through 2002.
  The tobacco companies understand the need to purchase at least this 
year's effective quota in order to prevent another substantial decrease 
in quota next year. There will be a lot of personal bankruptcies in 
North Carolina if our farmers are faced with another 10 to 17 percent 
reduction in quota. But I am confident--and I do expect--that the 
tobacco companies will honor their commitment to me and the tobacco 
farmers of this country to purchase U.S. tobacco this marketing season.
  Mr. President, everyone in the tobacco community--particularly the 
tobacco companies--realizes that the tobacco farmers should have been 
included in the so-called ``National Tobacco Settlement'' in the first 
place.
  Tobacco farmers and manufacturers are at a crossroads that may very 
well define their destiny. They can either choose to work in good 
faith, or they can choose not to. If they choose to harbor ill-will and 
mistrust, the destruction rampant in this industry will be far greater 
than anything Congress could ever levy by politics or legislation.
  Mr. President, during these obviously difficult times in tobacco 
country, squadrons of politicians in Washington and elsewhere are eager 
for headlines back home at the expense of the farmers. No one knows 
what will happen with the McCain bill, nor with any other tobacco 
legislation that may come forward. But I can promise you this: there 
will continue to be a number of special interest groups that will try 
to exploit the fears of the tobacco farmer for their own gain.
  I can counsel our folks back home to avoid being disillusioned. If we 
work together and in good faith, the tobacco farmers of America will 
continue to have a future, no matter the threats and pleadings from the 
political chorus--which is becoming a little more discordant with every 
passing day.
  Mr. President, I thank the Chair.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I want to say to the Senator from North 
Carolina, independent of the subject matter to which he just spoke, 
that I see him and the way he lives, and he is one tough bird. I admire 
his courage and I admire the way he keeps after it.
  I just wish him the best of health.
  Mr. HELMS. I thank the Senator.
  Mr. KERREY. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. ASHCROFT. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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