Agriculture Research Bill
                                                               
                                            Release No. 0186.98
Statement
                                 
                               of
             U.S. Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
                  On Agriculture Research Bill
                         April 23, 1998

     The Senate soon will consider final passage of a very good, bipartisan
agriculture research bill. This bill addresses critical farm and anti-hunger
priorities, and in its current form, President Clinton stands ready to sign
it. 

     This research bill invests $1.7 billion in agricultural research which
is critical to increasing farm productivity and income; in rural development
efforts to keep our farm communities strong; and in crop insurance, so
producers have a reliable program they can count on in the years ahead.

     This bill also restores food stamp benefits for vulnerable legal
immigrants, including children, the elderly and the disabled. These benefits
were stripped away as part of welfare reform, and this is the correct bill in
which to right that wrong. We should not overlook the fact that the funds for
this research bill come from savings in how we run the food stamp program. A
good portion of these funds must go back to feeding hungry people.

     Unfortunately, some in the Senate are contemplating removing the funds
devoted to restoring food stamp benefits. That would be a mistake. President
Clinton and I believe very strongly that to turn our backs on those who are
hungry and have come to this country by legal means would be to turn our backs
on the goal of ending hunger here in America. 

     Anyone who knows me knows how strongly I feel about ending hunger in
America. That is why, if these vital funds are stripped away, I will not
hesitate to recommend that President Clinton veto this bill.  The
Administration will strongly oppose efforts to break this Conference Report
apart and move parts of it into other bills, such as the pending Supplemental
Appropriations bill.

     We need this bill passed quickly and intact, so we can make sure these
funds are spent where they are needed most -- helping America's farmers and
our nation's hungry.

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