[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 81 (Wednesday, June 9, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1176]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          SUGAR FARMERS DESERVE A HAND--NOT A SLAP IN THE FACE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DAVID E. BONIOR

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 8, 1999

  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, every morning when we wake up each of us 
have certain routines; we have our coffee with sugar and cream; we eat 
a bowl of cereal; or perhaps a piece of toast with jam; things we 
enjoy, but put little thought into from where the food came.
  However, one thing is clear--without sugar farmers that coffee would 
be a little bitter and that cereal and toast would be a little bland.
  American sugar farmers are among the most efficient in the world--and 
with a level playing field in the global market would easily provide 
the best value.
  Foreign governments, however, heavily subsidize their sugar industry 
to the point where our farmers need stability to compete.
  But what do some of our colleagues try to do year after year? There 
seems to be an annual attempt to knock out the modest safety net we put 
into place in the 1996 farm bill to ensure our sugar growers have a 
chance.
  In fact, it's hard to believe that the modest loan program we put 
into place would face such repeated attacks.
  The loan program operates at no net cost to the government.
  It simply gives some assurance to our sugar growers and their 
families that they will have some stability and be able to meet their 
financial commitments.
  At a time when the U.S. farm economy is in its worst shape in 
decades, the least we can do is honor the commitments we've already 
made to our farm families.
  In the 1996 farm bill, we made a seven-year obligation to our sugar 
farmers. We need to keep that promise.
  That is why I oppose efforts to weaken the sugar loan program, and I 
urge my colleagues to do so as well.

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