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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 2, 2001

Remarks by the President and Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman During Swearing-In Ceremony
The Oval Office

1:44 P.M. EST

     THE PRESIDENT:  Well, it's my honor, along with the Vice President, to welcome  Secretary  Veneman  and  her  sister,  Jane, who did a fine job of holding the Bible, and Veneman family members.  Welcome to the Oval Office, and thank you all for coming.

     Ann  is  new  to the Cabinet, but not to the Department she leads, nor the  issues  that  her Department will face.  Having served as California's highest  agricultural  official, and in prominent posts here in Washington, she comes to the job very well prepared.

     Agriculture represents 13 percent of our nation's economy, and remains central to prosperity at home and competitiveness abroad.  In many ways, it is  the  most crucial of all industries and, yet, the most easily taken for granted.   American  farmers  are without rival in their ability to produce and  compete.   But  they face every kind of challenge, from bad weather to closed markets.

     This  administration  is  going to be a friend to the American farmer. In  times  of  emergency, they will get the assistance they need, when they need  it.   We  will  support  tax  deferred savings accounts, to help farm families guard against down turns.  And to keep family farms in the family, we're going to get rid of the death tax.

     For  many farmers, the greatest challenge today is finding markets for their  products.   Americans  represent  just  4  percent  of  the  world's population.  But our farmers have the technology and the skill to feed much of the world beyond.

     Ann  and I will carry out this equivocal message to the world, markets must  be  open.   The United States will not tolerate favoritism and unfair subsidies.  We want to compete, and we want our farmers to compete on level ground.   And  agriculture will no longer be traded away or ignored when we sit down at international negotiating tables.  It will be a top priority of ours.

     America's  farmers  will  have a strong advocate in the new Secretary. Today, the number of women-owned farms is the highest ever, and Ann Veneman is the first woman ever to hold this position.  I'm confident she'll be one of the most successful leaders that this department has ever had.

     Madame Secretary.

     SECRETARY  VENEMAN:   Mr.  President,  thank  you  for this tremendous honor.   And  Mr.  Vice  President,  thank  you, as well.  I am proud to be working  with  you  and the other distinguished members of this Cabinet, as the  27th Secretary of Agriculture.  I am deeply touched by your confidence in me.

     Farmers and ranchers are among the nation's best stewards of the land, and  I  pledge  to  you  to  be  an  equally  beneficial  custodian  of the Department.   Mr. President, you are setting a new tone here in Washington, in word and in deed, and I am honored to be part of your team.

     We  have tremendous opportunities ahead of us, and any challenges will be  tempered  by  the  fact  that you understand that agriculture is at the heart   of  the  economy,  and  that  it  symbolizes  some  of  the  finest characteristics  of our nation.  You know well agriculture's important role in our daily lives, and the contributions that farmers and ranchers make to the fabric of America.

     There is no better example of this fact then what is contained in your first  budget  to the Congress.  It sets priorities for our Department, and is  responsive  to  the  many  needs of the entire food chain, by providing needed  tax  relief,  promoting expansion of markets, emphasizing research, increasing food safety, and assisting those most in need.

     I  am  looking  forward  to  advancing  your  important  agenda.  I am extremely proud to again serve our country.

     I  would  like  to thank my family and friends who have joined me here today.   Many  of  them have traveled from our native California to witness this very special occasion.  And I very much appreciate their support.

     Mr.  President, Mr. Vice President, I will work hard with you and your administration,  with  the  Congress and with the talented men and women at the  Department  of  Agriculture,  to  chart  a  new, purposeful course for America.

     Thank you.

                            END                  1:49 P.M. EST