WESTERN PEANUT GROWERS ASSOCIATION P.O. BOX 252 SEMINOLE, TEXAS 79360 PHONE (915) 758-2050 FAX (915) 758-3837 July 25, 2000 HAND DELIVERY-BY MESSENGER The Honorable Larry Combest House Committee on Agriculture 1301 Longworth House Office Building U.S. House of Representatives Washington, D.C. 20515 Dear Mr. Chairman, It is my understanding that the House Committee on Agriculture is currently holding hearings in Washington on federal farm policy and that the organizations representing peanut producers have been given an opportunity to present their views. The Western Peanut Growers Association appreciates this opportunity and commends the Committee for holding these hearings as a means of obtaining the views of producers regarding the legislation that will succeed the current farm bill scheduled to expire with the 2002 crop. Producers making up the membership of the Western Peanut Growers Association located in west Texas, and an allied organization, the Panhandle Peanut Growers Association, produce approximately 80 percent of the peanuts grown in the State of Texas, and peanut legislation is of great significance to our membership. Our board of directors is considering a variety of options for any new peanut legislation and is not prepared to make any recommendations at this time. We will advise you as soon as we have developed a position regarding the legislation. With warmest regards, Doyle Fincher Doyle Fincher O |