icy, at least not to date. And I am concerned about two issues 

 there. 



First of all, why is it that the policy provisions were not modified 

 for, or exceptions allowed, during the course of the 1993 disaster 

 program? 



And second, is there going to be any problem in getting a new 

 policy in place for 1994 so we don't have a repeat, if we do have 

 a disaster again in 1994? 



The 0/92 has been very awkward; and I don't think I need to be- 

 labor that because I know that many of you have struggled with 

 how to implement 0/92 this year. And I am interested in your com- 

 ments in that regard. 



A third issue of concern to me is the farmer unemployment bene- 

 fit program. And I recognize this may be outside the scope of some 

 of the activities that the witnesses that we have normally dealt 

 with; but if you have any insights or observations on that, I would 

 be interested in hearing them. 



I look forward very much to your comments, and I would also 

 like to express my appreciation to the USDA officials that have 

 been involved in the disaster program. I think they have gone the 

 extra mile in trying to make the program work in 1993. I know 

 that many farmers have had questions answered and feel that they 

 have been listened to, even though sometimes we have not had all 

 of the provisions changed the way we would like. 



Still, we appreciate the openness and accessibility that you have 

 provided us in connection with the administration of the program. 



Mr. Johnson. The gentleman from California, Mr. Condit, do you 

 have an opening statement? 



Mr. Condit. No, sir. 



Mr. Johnson. With that, we will call the first panel, which is 

 Mr. Bruce R. Weber, who is the Acting Administrator of the Agri- 

 cultural Stabilization and Conservation Service of USDA. He is ac- 

 companied by Ms. Wilda Martinez, who is Associate Deputy Ad- 

 ministrator of Agricultural Products and Human Nutrition Services 

 of the USDA; Mr. Timothy B. Witt, who is Assistant Manager for 

 Research and Development, Federal Crop Insurance Corporation; 

 and Mr. David Shipman, who is Director, Field Management Divi- 

 sion of the Federal Grain Inspection Service. 



We, as an aside to the members of this subcommittee, are not 

 going to be discussing crop insurance in great depth since that is 

 under Mr. English's subcommittee. 



However, Federal crop is here today to answer technical ques- 

 tions about how they are interacting with ASCS programs. So I 

 would hope that you would keep that caveat in mind as we go 

 through your questions of the panel members. 



Welcome, Mr. Weber, Ms. Martinez, Mr. Witt, and Mr. Shipman. 

 And, as ever, your full statement is accepted on the record of this 

 subcommittee; and if you choose to summarize your statement or 

 in any other way abbreviate it, feel welcome to do so. But handle 

 this in a manner you are most comfortable. 



And we are anxious to hear from you, Mr. Weber. 



