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2001 National Travel Seminar
Class Diary |
March 13, 2001
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FTC, Justice,
Capital Hill & The Fed
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Washington D.C.
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| Analyzing mergers,
defining markets, weighing grocery store slotting fee allowances
are all part of the responsibilities of the Federal
Trade Commission (FTC). Neil Averitt, FTC staff attorney
brought IALF members to order for their third day of learning the
ins and out’s of Washington.. "We protect options and the
ability to choose," said Averitt.
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Walking was a key theme of the
Washington D.C. seminar as is illustrated in this long trek up the
west steps of the Capitol. |
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Joining Averitt on the panel was Douglas Ross, Department
of Justice special counsel for agriculture in the antitrust
division. IALF members questioned Ross on competitive business
issues--from ADM’s price fixing case to the recent mergers in
the agricultural seed, equipment and livestock industries.
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IALF members climbed the steps of Capitol Hill to
meet with Mike Stokke, Deputy Chief of Staff to U.S. Representative
J. Dennis Hastert to learn that the Speaker
Hastert is very positive about free trade. Joining Stokke,
legislative assistant Anthony Reed informed the group that
Mississippi River issues are encountering rough waters. He predicted
that it will be July 2002 before agriculture will see a report from
the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regarding improvements on the upper
Mississippi. Stokke told the 30 agriculture leaders that it was
"the best guess of the House that there will be no Farm Bill
this year." Representative Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the
House, came in to shake hands with each IALF 2002 class member.
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Representative Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House, came in to
shake hands with each IALF 2002 class member. |
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Illinois met Texas in the form of Ranking Minority Member Charles
Stenholm. In a surprise announcement, Stenholm informed the
group that "I’ve done an 180 degree turn on ethanol over the
last two years. We need it for national security reasons."
Known for his trademark cowboy boots, Stenholm raised his pant leg
when asked to define his district. "I can show you easier than
I can tell you," he said, as he proceeded to outline the
boundaries upon an ornament of Texas emblazoned on his boot.
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| Texas Rep. Charlie Stenholm
shows off his trademark cowboy boots in the House Agriculture
Committee room.
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Ken Auer, CEO, Farm Credit
Council, shared his insights of the farm economy and how they
offer an alternative to commercial banks. The Farm Credit Council
provided box lunches allowing the class to work through lunch in
order to make the next appointment at the Federal Reserve Bank. |
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Sitting in the same seats that the seven governors of the Federal
Reserve System occupy while making decisions that impact interest
rates, Governor Edward Gramlich explained the complicated system
that determines the direction of the economy. "Very few people
that claim to understand the dollar really do," said Gramlich.
After enduring a complete shake down at the security
headquarters of the State Department,
the group met with Iraqi Desk Officer Steve Beecroft (we think that’s
his real name). Mr. Beecroft monitors the activities of the Iraqi
government and ensures that trade sanctions imposed after the Gulf
War are enforced.
The day concluded with a pizza party with
participants from the Minnesota
Agriculture & Rural Leadership Program who were also on
their National Travel seminar.
Tuesday’s chairs were: Pam Henderson, Steve
Hawkins, and Matt Foes
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