Radio Address of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
                                 
                                            Release No. 0404.98

      Radio Address of Agriculture Secretary Dan Glickman
                         October 5, 1998

     President Franklin Roosevelt called America's farm families 'the source from which the
reservoirs of our nation's strength are constantly renewed.' 

     Unfortunately, while the U.S. economy is doing very well today, America's farm
economy is plunging into its deepest crisis in decades. Many farm families will see their net
income drop by more than 40 percent this year, and 1999 has yet to show any real prospects for
recovery. 

     Under legislation President Clinton signed, farmers will get their 1999 payments sooner,
and we are purchasing surplus wheat for donation to hungry people around the world. But with
crop and livestock prices still dropping, with foreign markets still in danger of collapse, we must
do more.

     Before the legislative session ends, Congress must act to protect America's farmers. The
President and I strongly favor an emergency assistance package that more adequately responds to
the stresses in the farm economy than what Congressional leaders so far have been willing to
support. President Clinton and I believe our nation has an obligation to help farmers in an
emergency, and ensure that those tottering on the financial brink have the resources they need to
plan for a Spring crop instead of the Spring auction of yet another family farm.

     This Administration's comprehensive plan includes assistance to farmers who have
suffered successive years of disaster losses, as well as help for those hit by this year's drought.
Our plan also takes steps to reinforce the farm safety net, including support for Senators Harkin
and Daschle's proposal to lift the cap on marketing loan rates for one year.

     With Congress in town for just a few more days, it must give priority to helping farmers
and ranchers. Throughout our history, America's farm families have sustained our nation --
growing our economy, feeding our people and our sense of ourselves. Today, our nation has the
opportunity to return the favor in hard times, and help America's farm men and women. We
should take strong action. It is the right course for U.S. agriculture and for our nation.
                                 
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