Statement of Mr. William T. Hawks

Before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Confirmation hearing

May 16, 2001

9:00 a.m.

Chairman Lugar, Ranking Member Harkin, and members of the Committee, I am honored to appear before you today as the nominee for Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at the United States Department of Agriculture. I would like to begin by thanking President George W. Bush for the privilege of being nominated to this position of public service, and I thank Senator Thad Cochran and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott for supporting my nomination. I am pleased to be joined today by my wife Diane, and our two children: Jennifer Hawks, and T. A. Hawks.  I would like to especially thank my wife Diane for all her assistance throughout this nomination process. 

 I was born and raised on a dairy and row crop farm in northern Mississippi.  I worked my way through college and completed a Masters degree in Agricultural Economics from Mississippi State University.

 I returned home in 1970, to serve in the Army Reserve and to start my family farm. In the past, I have spent many long days milking dairy cows, growing cotton, winter wheat, corn, and soybeans. I have had to supplement my farm income during low price periods through leasing my equipment for custom harvesting.  So you can see, I have weathered both good times and bad in farming.    

While operating our family farm, I took the time to participate in the local USDA farm committees.  For a number of years, I served as Chairman of the DeSoto County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Committee and as a local Soil and Water Conservation District commissioner. Through my involvement with these committees, I learned the very complex workings of USDA agencies.    

I was actively engaged in representing Mississippi agriculture through my participation in commodity organizations.  I have held leadership positions with both the National Corn Growers and the American Soybean Association. If confirmed, I will utilize my experiences with these organizations to uphold the high standards of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Most recently, I have served the people of Mississippi as a State Senator.  While in the Mississippi Senate, I served on both the Agriculture Committee and the Environmental Committee. If confirmed, my knowledge of the legislative process will be very beneficial as the United States Department of Agriculture communicates with the Congress and other interested parties.

I understand the many challenging issues that I will confront in this position, if confirmed. One issue in particular is Foot and Mouth disease.  As each of you know, this disease is the center of attention for the livestock industry and the American public. It is my understanding that the President’s budget has requested additional funding for inspection personnel at some of our ports.  It is important that we continue to monitor this international situation to prevent it’s introduction onto American soil. If confirmed, I will uphold the current laws and regulations that are at USDA’s disposal and work with you to ensure we keep Foot and Mouth Disease out.  One of my top priorities will be in keeping our safeguards strong and in using our resources wisely.    

If confirmed, I will also be involved with the review of agricultural market concentration.  I believe that we in USDA must work diligently to guard against anti-competitive practices within the agriculture industry. As a family farmer, I have a strong understanding and appreciation for needing a competitive agriculture that supports all farmers.   The United States Department of Agriculture serves as a helping hand to rural America and especially to production agriculture.  

If confirmed, I pledge to work with members of this Committee and their staff, as well as leaders in the agricultural industry.  I am confident that my educational and professional experiences have prepared me for this undersecretary position at the United States Department of Agriculture.Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I look forward to any questions that you may have for me.