[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 101 (Tuesday, July 20, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1426]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND 
                RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. WALTER B. JONES

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2004

       The House in Committee of the White House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 4766), 
     making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, 
     Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies for the 
     fiscal year ending September 30, 2005, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Mr. Chairman, yesterday I voted for the 
FY05 Agriculture Appropriations Bill because it provides American 
farmers with the support they need to continue to be the world's 
leading suppliers of food and fiber.
  However, I am strongly opposed to the Flake Amendment that was 
accepted during floor consideration of that bill. While this amendment 
would not foreclose a tobacco buyout, it would make it more difficult 
to implement.
  This House needs to recognize that the federal government is 
decimating our rural tobacco communities. A buyout is the only fair way 
to eliminate the Depression-era federal tobacco program and transition 
to a free market production system. The last thing we need is an 
amendment that complicates this transition and destroys American jobs.
  Therefore, I will do everything in my power to get this wrong-headed 
amendment stripped from the bill before it is sent to the President's 
desk.

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