[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 115 (Wednesday, July 30, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10267-S10268]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. McCONNELL (for himself, Mrs. Dole, Mr. Bunning, Mr. 
        Hollings, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Miller, Mr. Frist, Mr. Warner, Mr. 
        Allen, Mr. Chambliss, Mr. Graham of South Carolina, Mr. 
        Alexander, and Mr. Bayh):
  S. 1490. A bill to eliminate the Federal quota and price support 
programs for tobacco, to provide assistance to quota holders, tobacco 
producers, and tobacco-dependent communities, and for other purposes, 
read the first time.
  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. President, the introduction of the Tobacco Market 
Transition Act is an important milestone for tens of thousands of 
farmers. I am proud to have been part of the bipartisan working group 
that crafted this bill.
  For decades, thousands of farmers in my state have depended on their 
tobacco quotas. They made significant investments in equipment and 
land. They paid into the no-net cost assessment program knowing that 
the quota system they were locked into would provide for them. They 
didn't get rich--most of the farmers in my State will tell you that 
their tobacco profits allowed them to send their children to college or 
just pay the bills.
  But that financial security has been eroded. The Federal quota is at 
an all-time low. In fact, just in the past five years tobacco farmers 
have seen their quotas cut in half. That same time has been 
particularly difficult for my farmers, who have had to adjust to the 
dwindling quota while losing their crops and in some cases their entire 
farms to three hurricanes, a massive ice storm and a severe drought.
  It is time to end the Federal quota system. It is time to give these 
hard working men and women a chance to transition to other crops or to 
retire with dignity. And for those who want to continue to grow 
tobacco, we must end the antiquated quota system and give them a chance 
to compete with foreign producers just as if they were growing any 
other crop like corn or sweet potatoes.
  Of course, this isn't just another crop. This is tobacco and the 
tobacco leaf is used to make addictive, deadly products. We must 
address that fact. I am certain that before the year is out, the Senate 
Health, Education and Labor Committee, of which I am a member, will 
consider relevant legislation to protect public health. I welcome that 
committee's efforts. But in the debate surrounding the tobacco 
industry, we cannot lose sight of the fact that thousands of honest, 
hard working people depend on the leaf for their economic livelihood.
  People like Blythe and Gwendolyn Casey of Kinston, NC. Mr. and Ms. 
Casey began farming tobacco decades ago. They made a decent living 
doing what they loved. As the years passed, they increased their 
production and made substantial investments in equipment and regulation 
barns. They paid into the no-net cost assessment program and played by 
the rules. They never got rich, but they were confident their 
investments would allow them to one day retire and remain on their 
farm.
  Through no fault of their own, they've watched the value of their 
quota essentially disappear. When they began farming, they never 
thought they would reach retirement age mired in debt. The Caseys, and 
thousands of tobacco farming families in eastern North Carolina face a 
bleak financial future unless Congress acts.
  The Federal quota system has reached a crisis point and we must 
intervene. The Tobacco Market Transition Act is our best chance to 
stave off economic disaster for tens of thousands of farmers.
  This bill represents a compromise literally years in the making. This 
bill is not perfect. But this bill could be the last hope for farmers.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, I am proud to cosponsor the Tobacco 
Market Transition Act of 2003, which is a vital piece of legislation to 
farmers in Tennessee and other tobacco producing States. As our 
citizens and government respond to the dangers of cigarettes and 
tobacco, farmers and farm communities that have depended on this crop 
are contending with challenges greater than just the decrease in

[[Page S10268]]

demand. Tobacco growing quotas, the leasing of those quotas, and the 
Federal price support system have combined with decreasing demand to 
form the ``perfect storm'' to afflict tobacco farmers.
  I grew up in east Tennessee, and small family tobacco farms were a 
part of the lifestyle and economic vitality in our region. Tobacco 
farmers are currently suffering because of government programs and 
declining demand for their crops. The number of tobacco farmers in 
Tennessee has decreased from more than 35,000 farms in 1980 to fewer 
than 15,000 today. Revenue from tobacco in Tennessee has declined by 
$25 million over the same period.
  This bill will provide a short term bridge to tobacco growers and 
quota holders, and the communities in which they live. Tennesseans who 
own quotas will receive a fair transition away from lease income they 
have received. Growers will receive transition payments as well. The 
buyout would last over six years and mean roughly $2 billion to the 
family farmers, quota lease owners, and communities in Tennessee.
  Tobacco farming will continue to be faced with challenges, but 
successful passage of this legislation will provide a safety net to 
farmers and their communities. I applaud the work of Senator McConnell 
on this important legislation and will work with him and our other 
cosponsors to provide the transition our tobacco farming communities 
desperately need.
                                 ______