35 



So for those offices where there is no person, you should submit a 

 name immediately. 



Mr. Glickman. And it should be to you? 



Secretary Espy. Yes. 



The Chairman. The time of the gentleman has expired. 



Ms. McKinney. 



Ms. McKinney. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



I would like to first begin by saying congratulations to Mr. Espy. 

 We are all proud of you. 



As you remember America's heartland, I would like you to also 

 know that Georgia's 11th District, too, has a heartland. It is a 

 heartland that is poor, that is undereducated, and that is underem- 

 ployed. The choice, too often, is between no work and work that en- 

 tails danger to both the environment and to the health of our resi- 

 dents. 



Mr. Secretary, I need your help and I need it in the most desper- 

 ate kind of way in terms of help for our small farmers but also 

 help in rural development. So I will be listening to you, talking 

 with you, and probably bringing some farmers to you to assist in 

 whatever way you can to help us in rural development. 



Secretary Espy. Thank you. 



We have discussed this briefly and I would be very eager and 

 willing to accept whatever delegation you might want to bring to 

 me at the USDA and give them my time and honestly try to help 

 you work out the problems that you have in your district. 



I will tell you why I am going to do it for you. Where you sit now 

 is where I sat before during the 6 years I was on this committee. 

 This seat has the most direct line into this microphone, whoever is 

 sitting there. The person in that seat can look in the eye of whoev- 

 er is sitting here testifying more clearly than perhaps anybody else 

 can, save the chairman — although he is a little further back. So 

 you can see, hear, and feel the truthfulness coming from whoever 

 is sitting here. 



You have a very valuable seat. I hope you know that. [Laughter.] 



Ms. McKinney. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



The Chairman. That is a very wise statement and I am glad that 

 she is there because prior to her I had Mr. Sarpalius in front of me 

 and I couldn't see over him. [Laughter.] 



I welcome her to that seat. 



Thank you very much. 



Mr. Nussle. 



Mr. Nussle. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 



First, welcome, Mr. Secretary. I am honored to have the opportu- 

 nity to have served with you in my first term and look forward to 

 your work. 



There are some, including myself, that would say that President 

 Clinton's focus on the economy has been anything but a laser. It 

 has been more like a dim flashlight. 



Based on what I have seen from your leadership and administra- 

 tion, I think I know where the brightness is going to come from in 

 the future, particularly with regard to rural economic develop- 

 ment, which is my concern. I know that concern is shared on your 

 part. 



