37 



Mr. Biro, I apologize for not being here for your testimony. I will 

 tell you that in kind of glancing over it — I will try to catch up — 

 I find it ironic in all of these cases, quite honestly, in Florida with 

 the aquaculture issue. 



We have a magazine there called Florida Trend that 2 or 3 years 

 ago did this huge layout on what was happening in Florida and 

 Florida's industries. Aquaculture was one of the five expanding in- 

 dustries within the State of Florida. As we talk about jobs, expan- 

 sion, when you look at where the markets are — with Germany, 

 other places — it looks like we should be helping you, not trying to 

 put blocks in your way when you do these things. 



To both of you, it is my understanding — I was not here, but I 

 have been watching it in other areas of the country where we have 

 subsidy programs and quota issues, what we tried to do was get 

 people to go into other commodities specifically for the purpose, 

 one, it helps us with the deficit; two, it helps you because it keeps 

 our land in farming, in doing those things. 



It is ironic to me, here we are going at each other for something 

 that we have been encouraging you to do. I hope I have not mis- 

 stated that. When you said soybeans, wheat, those kinds of things, 

 it came to mind we have been talking about these, the same kinds 

 of issues in North Carolina with peanuts and tobacco. It makes no 

 sense to me. 



I really do not have any questions for you. I think your testimony 

 has been very good. I will just say, as I have gone through this all 

 day today, that I think that the main issue here, which I think was 

 to the gist of the question I asked the USDA, who are these people 

 that are, in fact, advising you? Do they know anything about this? 

 And, I think it is pretty obvious that for years the USDA has only 

 been concerned about grains and those kinds of issues and totally 

 have forgotten a whole other group of agricultural commodities we 

 have. 



That is what my emphasis will be going to the Department and 

 those people dealing with those issues, specifically those on the 

 floor. I think we can even carry it as far as the deficit issue. That 

 is what they will continue to tell us is why we are trying to do 

 some of these issues. 



We appreciate your being here. We will let you know you have 

 our support. 



I do need to let Mr. Lewis and Mr. Nussle both have an oppor- 

 tunity to offer any questions or comments on your testimony. 



Mr. Lewis. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I don't have any 

 questions. 



I want to agree with what the chairwoman said. I think your tes- 

 timony is outstanding. I read it while you were talking. 



Mr. Biro, you may be interested to know I have in my office an 

 aquarium. It has 26 fish in it. They are all from Florida. It is the 

 only one on the Hill. Every time people come in, I show them Flor- 

 ida fish; my staff gave that to me a couple of years ago for a birth- 

 day present. I will not mention the birthday. Nonetheless, we do 

 brag about the Florida aquaculture. 



Thank you for coming as well. 



I would yield to Mr. Nussle. 



