[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 149 (Thursday, October 28, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2213]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       AMERICA NEEDS A PERMANENT AGRICULTURE TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. WES WATKINS

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 28, 1999

  Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, today I am proudly introducing legislation 
to establish a permanent position of Chief Agricultural Negotiator 
within the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). I 
do so with my colleagues, the gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Hulshof, and 
the gentleman from Idaho, Mr. Simpson.
  Since 1997, this position has been designated as ``Special Trade 
Ambassador for Agriculture.'' Our legislation will create a permanent 
office at USTR to negotiate on behalf of America's farmers, ranchers 
and other agricultural interests. Unfortunately, the news from rural 
America is not good. Farm families are tired and frustrated with the 
level of attention that has been paid to their livelihood by our 
government. Additionally, global economic recessions have led to 
decreased exports by our producers, thus leaving them with a negative 
impression of what international trade has done for them.
  American agriculture is at a crossroads and if we continue to ignore 
it, farm life as we know it will become extinct. The best way for 
America to sustain our agricultural backbone is by opening and 
accessing a new global marketplace. That marketplace can best be 
reached if we have someone in a permanent role, who has an agricultural 
background, working on behalf of our farmers and ranchers.
  Finally, in one month representatives from all of the world's trading 
partners will attend the World Trade Organization Ministerial in 
Seattle to designate the parameters for the upcoming round of global 
trade talks and negotiations. Many people, including a large portion of 
the Congress, believe agriculture should be the number one priority for 
our negotiating team. However, as we host the trade world here in the 
United States, we do not have a permanent, designated negotiator for 
agricultural interests.
  I urge all of my colleagues to lend their support to this legislation 
by cosponsoring this important and timely legislation.