3 Friday, April 27, 1979 Department Investigations, Oversight, & Research Subcommittee Field Hearing, Houston, Texas Chairman de la Garza called the meeting to order and made an opening statement indicating the need to examine the Federal Grain Inspection Service and its operations because of the many questions that have been raised by people throughout the Nation. He emphasized that there was a need to balance existing Federal Grain Inspection Service rules and regulations with the concerns of the producers and grain elevator operators who feel that the regulations are unduly burdensome. Testimony was heard from 18 witnesses, and there was a statement submitted by Senator Lloyd Bentsen. Chairman de la Garza closed the meeting with a statement that this Field Hearing was the initial step in the Congressional effort to review the regulations of the Federal Grain Inspection Service. Witnesses: -2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Honorable Tony Coelho, Member of Congress from California. Mr. Martin D. Strange, Co-Director, Center for Rural Affairs, Mr. Gene Wenstrom, farmer from Elbow Lake, Minnesota, representing Communicating for Agriculture, Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Mr. John Valcek, Agricultural Marketing Project, Nashville, Ms. Cathy Lerza, Coordinator, National Family Farm Statements Filed: None Chairman Jones (Tenn.) called the meeting to order and recognized the witnesses listed on page 2 of these minutes for their prepared testimony on legislation to fund the loan programs of the Farmers Home Administration. Following presentation of their statements, the witnesses were questioned by the Members of the Subcommittee. At 11:30 a.m. the meeting was adjourned to reconvene at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 2, to receive testimony from the Administration and markup the legislation. U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 MINUTES Date Wednesday, May 2, 1979 (Sub) Committee on Family Farms, Rural Development, and. Meeting: Open business Subject: Rural Development Policy Act Bill Nos. H.R. 3580 Special Studies The Family Farms, Rural Development, and Special Studies (Sub) Committee Session at 10:05 am o'clock, in Room 1301 IHOR Mr. Grassley Mr. Mr. Panetta Mr. Sebelius Mr. |