150 



ratified by Congress. The U.S. economy can ill afford the long term impact if the 

 agreement is defeated by Congress — America could put in jeopardy our third largest 

 export market. 



Let me share a few of the comments made by my colleagues on NAFTA: 



Mexico is a growing economy with ever-increasing demand for 'value-added' 

 agricultural products. New York supports NAFTA. It will both increase 

 markets for our agricultural products as well as increase jobs both in pro- 

 duction and in processing operations. — Richard T. McGuire, New York Com- 

 missioner of Agriculture and Markets 



Illinois agriculture will benefit even beyond increased sales of our basic 

 commodities. As the Mexican economy grows, we see growth in our proc- 

 essed food exports to Mexico. This growth not only adds value to our basic 

 commodities, but adds quality jobs to the Illinois economy and enlarges our 

 tax base. — Becky Doyle, Director of the Illinois Department of Agriculture 



I support passage of this international trade agreement. I am convinced it 

 will help not only farmers and processors, but all U.S. business and indus- 

 try .—James A. Graham, North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture 



NAFTA will be good for California agriculture by opening new markets for 

 many of the commodities that we produce. It will level the playing field by 

 eliminating tariff and nontariff barriers that now hinder trade with Mex- 

 ico. — Henry J. Voss, Director of the California Department of Food and Agri- 

 culture 



American agriculture can no longer be defined by a fence row or a turn row 

 or for that matter a State line or a national boundary in today's global 

 economy. The jobs and economic growth that NAFTA creates gives us op- 

 portunities to increase our profits and expand our markets. I'm proud that 

 NASDA has the foresight to join AG for NAFTA and to support the eco- 

 nomic future of our farmers and ranchers. — Rick Perry, Texas Commis- 

 sioner of Agriculture 



Forty-two lead State agricultural officials have endorsed NAFTA and called on 

 Congress to pass the implementing legislation. They include: 



John W. Cramer, Director, Division of Agriculture, Alaska Department of Natural 



Resources 

 Keith Kelly, Director, Arizona Department of Agriculture 

 Gerald King, Director, Arkansas State Plant Board 

 Henry J. Voss Director, California Department of Food and Agriculture 

 Steven W. Horn, Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture 

 John R.H. Blum, Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Agriculture 

 John F. Tarburton, Secretary, Delaware Department of Agriculture 

 Tommy Irvin, Commissioner, Georgia Department of Agriculture 

 Yukio Kitagawa, Chairperson, Board of Agriculture 

 Becky Doyle, Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture 

 James R. Moseley, Director, Indiana Agricultural Services and Regulations 

 Dale M. Cochran, Secretary, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship 

 Ed Logsdon, Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Agriculture 

 Bob Odom, Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry 

 Bernard W. Shaw, Commissioner, Maine Department of Agriculture, Food and 



Rural Resources 

 Robert L. Walker, Secretary, Maryland Department of Agriculture 

 Jonathan L. Healy, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Food and Agri- 

 culture 

 Bill Schuette, Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture 

 Elton Redalen, Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture 

 Jim Buck Ross, Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Com- 

 merce 

 John L. Saunders, Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture 

 Leo A. Giacometto, Director, Montana Department of Agriculture 

 Larry E. Sitzman, Director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture 

 Thomas W. Ballow, Executive Director, Nevada Department of Agriculture 

 Stephen H. Taylor, Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture 

 Arthur R. Brown, Jr., Secretary, New Jersey Department of Agriculture 

 Frank A. DuBois, Director/Secretary, New Mexico Department of Agriculture 

 Richard T. McGuire, Commissioner, New York Department of Agriculture and Mar- 

 kets 



