27 



We had Deputy Secretary Rominger attend Dr. Parker's GSA 

 meeting, Dr. Rominger being the highest official ever, I think, if I 

 am not correct, to attend this meeting. We view that as very posi- 

 tive certainly. The fact that we have had the GAO study, and we 

 thank you and others for supporting that. The fact that we have 

 the Office of Technology Assessment; we think that is a very posi- 

 tive step. I think Congressman Studds was very involved in that. 



Congressman de la Garza recently, he is working now with Con- 

 gressman Studds on the House side. We view this as very positive. 



I would say that some good things are happening for this in- 

 dustry. 



Now if we were to talk just about the USDA reorganization, I 

 think I mentioned to you this morning, I cannot think of anything 

 more important, of all of the important things associated with your 

 legislation. Senator. From our standpoint, the USDA reorganiza- 

 tion is absolutely paramount in our estimation. Without it — and as 

 you mentioned, this all began, this rhetoric, back in 1985 or what- 

 ever — you know, I do not think we will ever be able to realize this 

 industry's potential. 



It is so important at least to NAA that we tracked since last 

 spring the possibility of a hearing being conducted by Congressman 

 Stenholm from Texas. I think in the first week in October that 

 hearing was held, and we did participate, so that again we could 

 make our position known with regard to USDA and reorganization. 



Among the tens of thousands of employees in USDA, obviously 

 there are literally a handful who are involved in this industry, no 

 clear focal point, oversight and the like, no budget attendant to 

 their needs or commensurate with their needs. 



We know that Secretary Espy is planning a reorganization, and, 

 as I say, we would simply hope that he certainly remembers this 

 industry. 



Senator Akaka. Mr. Martin? 



Mr. Martin. I hear a beeper going off, and it is called S. 1288. 

 Now if the administration has the beeper turned on, they are going 

 to be listening to what we have done here, and if there is ever an 

 opportunity for the administration to listen, this is the time to 

 do it. 



They have taken the first step by putting the centers into the 

 Presicient's budget, the five centers. That is just fine. What we 

 must now do is increase the volume on that beeper by going to 

 markup and showing the administration that this is a serious at- 

 tempt. 



Senator Daschle. Speaking of beepers, I have a meeting with 

 the Majority Leader in about four minutes. So I am going to ask 

 that Senator Akaka be allowed to continue to ask as many ques- 

 tions to fill the record as he feels the need. We want to make this 

 as complete a record as possible, and we appreciate very much the 

 contribution that you all ar^ making as we build this record. So I 

 would ask that Senator Akaka be given the authority to adjourn 

 the hearing when he has completed his questions. And again, let 

 me personally thank all of you for being here. 



Senator Akaka, please proceed. 



Senator Akaka [presiding]. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair- 

 man. Thank you for your time and your deep interest. 



