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development must be a priority. However, we must first 

 understand the complex and interrelated problems before 

 we can fully come up with policy solutions. This 

 necessitates a system which rationally takes into account 

 the research needs of the southeast region. In any case, I 

 am hopeful that we can duplicate the efforts of the Lower 

 Mississippi Delta Commission that was championed by the 

 current Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy. 



Again, thank you Mr. Chairman for your efforts, 

 and I welcome the good Chairman of the Committee on 

 Science, Space, and Technology—Chairman George 

 Brown—our good colleague on the Agriculture Committee. 

 I also would like to welcome the other panelists and hope 

 that we can address this crucial problem. 

 Thank you. 



