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Congress of the United States 002)22^3741 



House of Representatives fax 0021 225-2443 



Infonnati(», Justice, Transpottation, and Agriculture 

 Subcommitte/'- 

 of the 



Committee on Govenunent Operations 



B-349-C lUybnn House OfTxc Buildillg 

 Washingloo. DC 205IS 



OPENING STATEMENT 

 CHAIRMAN GARY A. CONDIT 



MISSION OF THE FOREIGN AGRICULTURE SERVICE 



PART II 

 November 16, 1993 



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

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

 FAS programs to make them work better. This is the second hearing of this series. 



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

 over 12 percent to a total value of more Uian 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 doUar-and-one-half in business activity for the rest of the economy. Despite this 

 good news, I think this is a time 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 Subcommittee focused on what we 

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

 both panels are like-minded and I gready look for«'anl 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 savings proposals and management 

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

 Hopefully, we wU! have a thoughtful discussion of the FAS reorganization today which 

 v^ lead to a bipartisan and cooperative consensus on this issue. 



