Hearing of Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on Nomination of Hon. Michael Johanns to be Secretary of the Department of Agriculture

Hearing of Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on Nomination of Hon. Michael Johanns to be Secretary of the Department of Agriculture

STATEMENT OF HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS, A U.S. SENATOR FROM GEORGIA, CHAIRMAN, COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION, AND FORESTRY

The Chairman. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I have participated in a lot of athletic events in my life and some
big games or what were big games for me back then, and I have that same feeling in my stomach this morning as I approach this chair. I also am very humbled by the fact that my colleagues have given me this opportunity, but I am more humbled by the
fact that I have the opportunity to replace a gentleman who is revered in agricultural circles far and wide.

I had the privilege of practicing law in my hometown, which is a very agricultural area of my State, for 26 years, and
during that time I practiced an awful lot of agricultural law. During that period of time I came to know the name ``Thad
Cochran.'' He was such a strong advocate for rural America not just farmers, but for everybody who lives in rural America.
Once I got elected to the House, he is one of the first people that I wanted to get to know and I got to know him very well.

He has been to my State every year that I have been out campaigning, and he is still revered in my part of the State,
and it has just been a pleasure to have the opportunity to be associated with him both within the agriculture circles, as
well as outside the agricultural circles. He has provided strong leadership for this committee, and he is going to continue to be a strong voice for agriculture in his position as Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

Thad, to you, I say thank you on behalf of all farmers all across America for the great service you provided to agriculture.

Senator Cochran. Thank you.

[Applause.]

The Chairman. I would say, also, that I have had the pleasure of knowing Tom Harkin for a number of years. Tom and I
got to know each other during our farm bill debates and some visits that I have made to Iowa. Tom Harkin, also, has been a
strong advocate for rural America and for farmers, not just in Iowa, but all across America. I really look forward to working
more closely with Tom than ever before. Tom, we have had a good relationship, and we are going to have an even stronger
relationship for the benefit of all farmers.

We are going to start off this morning, as the first order of business of this committee, to consider the confirmation of
the President's nominee for Secretary of Agriculture. We have here for the hearing this morning Governor Mike Johanns, of the
great State of Nebraska. He is accompanied by two of our good friends here--one which is a member of our committee, and both are two personal friends of mine, Senator Chuck Hagel and Senator Ben Nelson.

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