[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 85 (Wednesday, June 16, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1271-E1272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      WHEAT PRICES LOW IN COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. Mr. Speaker, every year since being elected to 
Congress, I have participated in a wheat tour sponsored by the Colorado 
Association of Wheat Growers and the Colorado Wheat Administrative 
Committee.
  Typically, I have reported to this House, the findings of the tour. 
However, this year, I will be content to submit to the Record a 
newspaper article written by Jean Gray, publisher of the Haxtun-Fleming 
Herald. The article clearly describes the challenge facing wheat 
growers and requires no additional comment.
  Mr. Speaker, America's wheat growers have suffered record-low prices 
for three years running. I hereby commend the account of Jean Gray to 
all Members and submit it now for the Record.


[[Page E1272]]



             [From the Haxtun-Fleming Herald, June 9, 1999]

                Congressman Sits at the Table of Farmers

                             (By Jean Gray)

       Even as agriculture struggles with low commodity prices, 
     American farmers continue to do what they do best, feed the 
     human race.
       A prime example occurred this past Saturday, June 5, as 65 
     people sat down to a luncheon at the home of local producers, 
     Richard and Cathy Starkebaum. The occasion was a visit to the 
     area by United States Congressman Bob Schaffer (R-Colo.) 
     Schaffer's visit was sponsored by the Colorado Association of 
     Wheat Growers and the Colorado Wheat Administrative 
     Committee.
       This was the third-annual CAWG/CWAC tour. Prior to 
     Schaffer's being elected to Congress, his predecessor Wayne 
     Allard participated in the event. According to Jay Wisdom, 
     president of CAWG, the tour has been held in the southern 
     part of the state the last two years. ``Congressman Schaffer 
     asked that it be held in northeastern Colorado this year,'' 
     said Wisdom. ``And Rich graciously agreed to host it.''
       The visit started with a tour of some area wheat fields and 
     culminated with the buffet lunch of barbecue-beef sandwiches, 
     potato salad, baked beans and condiments provided by caterer 
     Joyce Schepler of Fleming.
       Thanks to recent rains, the wheat in northeastern Colorado 
     appears healthy with full heads of grain, but prices remain 
     depressed. Darrell Hanavan, executive director of CAWG/CWAC, 
     said that one of the first things the group did that morning 
     was to go through the history of the wheat market. ``What we 
     discovered is that wheat prices are at the lowest level since 
     1991-92,'' said Hanavan. On Saturday, the wheat market closed 
     at $2.25 per bushel, according to Jan Workman, Grainland 
     Cooperative, Haxtun. Workman said the Coop's records show 
     that wheat was at $2.34 per bushel on July 15, 1991, and on 
     July 15, 1990, it was at $2.56 per bushel. Workman said she 
     has seen wheat at $2.20 and $2.13 at harvest time, but could 
     not recall the years.
       Wisdom explained to those attending that CAWG is a dues-
     paying organization that lobbies government, both on the 
     state and federal level, on issues that affect wheat 
     producers. He pointed out that Schaffer is the wheat leader 
     for the State of Colorado in Washington. ``The rest of 
     Congress looks to Congressman Schaffer for advice when they 
     vote on ag-related issues,'' said Wisdom.
       He also reported that there have been some success in 
     Colorado recently, specifically with the passage of two 
     pieces of state legislation that offer tax relief to 
     producers. ``That will help because we desperately need an 
     influx of money into the ag community,'' said Wisdom.
       Wisdom was referring to House Bills 99-1002 and 99-1381. 
     Both were passed during the 1999 legislative session, and 
     both take effect on July 1, 1999. The two bills are expected 
     to offer $6.2 million in tax relief to Colorado farmers.
       House Bill 99-1102, which was partially sponsored by 
     District One State Senator Marilyn Musgrave, exempts farm 
     equipment from state sales tax.
       Senator Musgrave was also involved in sponsoring House Bill 
     99-1381, which exempts chemicals used in the production of 
     agriculture products from state sales tax. State 
     Representative Diane Hoppe, 65th District, also helped 
     sponsor the measure. Phillips and Logan counties are located 
     in both the 65th House District and Senate District One.
       Wisdom said that CAWG is also working on getting some 
     legislation passed that will make crop insurance more 
     beneficial to farmers. ``We are trying to get a safety net 
     program set up,'' said Wisdom. ``It is tough out there.''
       CAWG has done a good job in its lobbying efforts over the 
     past two years, said Wisdom. ``But there's a lot of 
     resistance out there right now. Agriculture is hurting and 
     Congressman Schaffer knows it, so this is your chance to hit 
     him up about your issues.''
       Brad Barth, a Larrar producer who serves as president of 
     CWAC, thanked Schaffer for his strong support of the wheat 
     industry and said the group is looking forward to working 
     with the Congressman on future issues.
       Congressman Schaffer, 36, is originally from Cincinnati, 
     Ohio, but now resides in Fort Collins. He and his wife, 
     Maureen, have four children ranging in age from three to 11. 
     He currently serves on the House agriculture committee.
       Barth noted that there are only five members of Congress 
     who represent larger agriculture areas than Schaffer does.
       Schaffer told the group that attending these tours helps 
     him represent the ag community better. ``When I am standing 
     on the House floor talking about the farmers I just met, and 
     the fields that I just walked, it gives me a  lot more 
     authority when I talk about agriculture issues.'' He added 
     that he needs input from producers like them to do his job 
     well. ``With the wide range of topics we deal with in 
     Washington, sometimes agriculture can be overlooked,'' 
     said Schaffer.
       With respect to the American people's apathy to the recent 
     scandals coming out of Washington, Schaffer said the reason 
     most give is that the economy is doing so well. ``Most feel 
     as long as the economy is doing well they could care less 
     about the scandal and corruption that is going on,'' said 
     Schaffer.
       He added, however, that while the economy is good for most 
     segments of the business community, that is not true in 
     agriculture. ``The biggest reason is trade,'' said Schaffer. 
     ``When it comes to cars, computers, and other hi-tech 
     manufacturing, the United States is doing well because they 
     have worked hard at opening those areas of trade. But when 
     they sit down with a representative from these other 
     countries, they have to offer some kind of trade in return. 
     The only thing these other countries have to offer is 
     agriculture products, so American farmers have gotten a bad 
     rap.''
       He added that it is a big political battle. ``One that we 
     have to be prepared to fight.'' He said one way to fight is 
     through organizations like CAWG/CWAC and he encouraged them 
     to join and participate.

     

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