45 



When it comes to the Delaney clause, let me tell you that this is 

 also a breaking issue. I have had a chance to talk to Carol Browner 

 of the EPA about this. I am slightly concerned about the timing of 

 this release and the nature of this release. We realize that we 

 should communicate a little bit better in the future on these types 

 of things. 



Let me just say that I will be talking to her today about what we 

 can do to make sure that we can jointly assure America that there 

 are certain categories of chemicals that are injurious, but there are 

 certain others that should continue to be considered for use and 

 not harmful to the American public. We can be a little bit more 

 careful about which ones we identify and which ones we don't. 



The Chairman. The gentleman's time has expired. 



Mr. Dickey, the gentleman from Arkansas. 



Mr. Dickey. Mr. Secretary, I represent the most important dis- 

 trict in the United States, and I want to know what you plan to do 

 to help the people of the Fourth District of Arkansas in the next 30 

 days. 



The Chairman. The gentleman's time has expired. [Laughter.] 



Secretary Espy. I guess Arkansas is almost a protected State 

 now. [Laughter.] 



Seriously, I am going to help the constituents of your district as I 

 will help the constituents of the various districts sitting at this 

 table, no better and no worse. But certainly to the extent of my ca- 

 pability I will. 



The Chairman. Mr. Pombo. 



Mr. Pombo. Mr. Secretary, I won't ask you a big, long question. I 

 do appreciate you being here and all the time you have spent with 

 this committee. It does me a lot of good to see a person of your 

 background and your integrity sitting in your position. I was one of 

 those that psked Jim Nussle about who this Espy guv was because 

 I didn't know you before. 



I can give you the assurances that every member of this commit- 

 tee that I asked about you gave you glowing remarks. That is a 

 good compliment coming out of a committee such as this. 



I came out of production agriculture directly into the House. A 

 year ago, I was on a cattle ranch when I decided that I was going 

 to run for Congress. The concerns of protecting agriculture as an 

 industry is what is important to me because I believe the industry 

 has been under attack for a number of years and that one of the 

 most important things we can do to protect it as an industry is to 

 protect the property rights and to protect the water rights that 

 these farmers and ranchers so desperately depend on in order to 

 make a living. 



In terms of the Delaney clause that was brought up a few times 

 this morning, those of us in production agriculture are counting on 

 you to be that voice, that commonsense voice and that voice of 

 saneness, coming out of the Agriculture Department in trying to 

 protect us and in trying to protect agriculture as an industry. 



Thank you. 



Secretary Espy. Thank you. Thank you for the question. 



All I can say is that I will be that common sense voice, but also 

 an honest broker between the differing groups. I have always felt 



