G«f7 A. Caadk. dJHionU, CkalnMB Cnif ThDraaa, Wycmi^ 



Ukjor Owtm, Sew YoA * lUoking MJDority Manfan 



Kami IliunDia, Florida Dearu Rm-l^tiaea, Florida 



LyvD Wc«Iae7. Cali/omia Suffcca Horn, Califomia 

 Bait StiBak. Mx&aaa 



ONE HUNDRED THIRD CONGRESS 



Congress of the United States oa2)i25.374i 



House of Representatives fax (202) 229-2443 



Infonnadon, Justice, Transportation, and Agriculture 

 Subcommittee 



o> Ox 



.Committee on Government Openticns 



B-349-C RiybuRi Hduk Oflkc Buildiiig 



Wuhiogton. DC 20515 



OPENING STATEMENT 

 CHAIRMAN GARY A. CONDIT 



November 10, 1993 



Good morning. We called today's hearing as part of a continuation of this 

 Subcommittee's examination of U.S. agricultural exports and Mr. Penny's desire to reform 

 FAS programs to make them work better. 



There is some good news on the export front, 1992 agriculttiral exports were up 

 over 12 percent to a total value of more than 42 billion dollars. Agricultural exports are 

 estimated to create more than one million jobs in the U.S. 



The USDA estimates that every dollar received from agriculture exports generates 

 another dollar-and-one-half in business activity for the rest of the economy. Despite this 

 good news, I think this is a tiine for great caution. We are in the midst of a great debate 

 over the NAFTA, and agriculture has been brought back to the table in the GATT 

 negotiations. 



Because of my concerns I intend to keep this Subcomniittee focused on what we 

 can do to keep the U.S. the world leader in agriculttiral exports. I know my colleagues on 

 ' both panels are like-minded and I gready look forward to today's testimony. 



Secretary Espy's reorganization plan envisions great changes for FAS. In fact, FAS 

 would be moved to a new Under Secretary's department and renamed under Mr. Espy's 

 proposal. While I am very supportive of the cost savi.^g3 proposals and management 

 improverjients which could be the result of this reorganization- I have some great concerns. 

 Hopefully, we wUl have a thoughtful discussion of the FAS reorganizpHon today which 

 will lead to a bipartisan and cooperative consensus on this issue. 



I am also very interested in what is being done to implement the Department's long 

 term trade strategy. This Subcommittee unfortunately had to fight with the USDA to get 

 them to produce one-today will provide us with an excellent opportunity to check its 

 progress. 



