releaseno.0456.05.docVIP

Release No. 0456.05 OF TEXAS FARM BILL FORUM  WITH SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE MIKE JOHANNS AND MODERATORS TONY PURCELL WITH THE TEXAS STATE NETWORK AND TONY ST. JAMES WITH KFLP TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY, LUBBOCK, TEXAS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2005 MODERATOR: Lets make sure we have room for the Color Guard here. Well start our program with a little pageantry. Well begin with the posting of the colors, the junior ROTC. Okay, we have a number of dignitaries here. First, lets bring out Chancellor David Smith of Texas Tech University. And our Congressmen, Second District of Texas Ted Poe, Mike Conaway of the Eleventh District, and the Nineteenth District Congressman Randy Neugebauer. And now may I present United States Department of Agriculture Secretary of Agriculture, Mr. Mike Johanns. (Applause.) By way of introduction, my name is Tony Purcell. I am the Agribusiness news director for the Texas State Network. Were based in Dallas. We broadcast on nearly 140 radio stations around the state. And Im a bit overdressed up here, me and Chancellor Smith. I was getting ready to come out here to Lubbock this morning from Dallas -- (inaudible) -- suit. (Laughter.) He said, The only thing is the Secretary is not wearing a suit. You may take off your coat. So Im going to do that. (Laughter.) You know, whether youre a cotton grower looking at the top rates for the crop youre about to harvest, whether youre in livestock production and looking at the EQIP program to make your operation more environmentally friendly, if youre a needy person or a hurricane victim who is investigating nutrition programs, you have a stake in this Farm Bill. In fact, when you get right down to it, if you eat or if you wear clothes, you have a stake in this Farm Bill. So this is a very important session, and were looking forward to it. Start with a little pageantry. The Lubbock Estacado Junior ROTC. Please rise as they present the colo