[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 59 (Thursday, May 3, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4240-S4241]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      SUPPORTING FARMER EDUCATION

 Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, I rise today to commend Farmland 
Industries for their leadership in educating farmers on the importance 
of international trade, through the program ``Support Trade, for 
Farmers, For Farmland, For You.'' I also congratulate them for 
receiving the 2001 National Agri-Marketing Association's award for Best 
of Show.
  I ask that the letter of congratulations I sent to Farmland 
Industries be printed in the Record.
  The letter follows.

                                             United States Senate,


                                         Committee on Finance,

                                      Washington, DC, May 2, 2001.
     Mr. Robert Honse,
     President & CEO, Farmland Industries, Inc., Kansas City, MO.
       I recently read that Farmland's trade education program, 
     ``Support Trade, For Farmers, For Farmland, For You'' was 
     selected to receive the 2001 National Agri-Marketing 
     Association's award for Best of Show. Congratulations on this 
     impressive achievement!
       Farmland Industries clearly understands the important role 
     of international trade to the agriculture industry. As the 
     only working family farmer in the United States Senate and 
     Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, I also 
     appreciate the importance of international trade to America's 
     farmers. International trade has a significant impact on my 
     home state of Iowa, with agriculture exports contributing 
     more than $5 billion a year to Iowa's economy. Nationwide, 
     approximately $6 million in agriculture products, such as 
     grains, oilseed, cotton, meats, and vegetables are processed 
     for export every day. These exports generate more than $100 
     billion in total business activity, and sustain nearly a 
     million American jobs.
       Trade is vital to the United States economy generally, and 
     to our farmers in particular, as agriculture makes an 
     enormous and valuable contribution as our third largest 
     export. Increased market opportunities in agricultural trade 
     are of tremendous importance to American farmers and to our 
     economy. That is why I applaud your efforts to inform and 
     mobilize the farming community in support of open markets.
       The ``Support Trade'' program sponsored by Farmland 
     Industries, and the communications team led by Sherlyn Manson 
     and David Eaheart, addressed a vitally important issue 
     through a program that has informed and enlightened farmers 
     at the grassroots level on the importance of international 
     trade.
       You are to be highly commended for your leadership. Too few 
     companies appreciate the importance of trade education at the 
     grassroots level. Farmland Industries is truly a leader whose 
     example I hope others will emulate.
       I look forward to working with you during this session of 
     Congress as we address such important international trade 
     issues as renewing Trade Promotion Authority for President 
     Bush, continuing normal trade relations for the People's 
     Republic of China, passing normal trade relations for 
     Vietnam, and preparing for the launch of a new round of World 
     Trade Organization negotiations this November.

[[Page S4241]]

       Again, congratulations for your selection as the recipient 
     of the 2001 National Agri-Marketing Association's Best of 
     Show.
           Sincerely,
     Charles E. Grassley.

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