Outlooks. We will also hear from the usda chief economist at this forum. It is about 90 minutes. [inaudible conversations] good morning, everybody. If you could please find your seat. I would like to welcome everyone to usda 96 annual outlook forum. Usda oldest annual meeting. I am stephen, deputy secretary of agriculture. It is great to see everyone here this morning. This years theme is that innovation imperative. Shaping the future of agriculture. This is a fitting theme for the secretary to announce something we have been working on at usda called the agriculture innovation agenda. We are excited to share more with you this morning. I am joined in this room by many of you that are working to shape the future of our agriculture economy. It is important that we take stock, not only where we are today, but also where we need to go to meet a growing Global Demand with rising standards of living at a time when producers are dealing with uncertainties in the farm economy and the conditio
It is a devastating sight in texas. Up hitting, people trying to help one another, trying to help neighbors evacuate. Theyre going doortodoor. But we still know at least 31 people have died. Officials do fear that number will rise as floodwaters begin to recede and theyre actually able to go doortodoor, house to house, to see who may have been left behind. We know 44,000 homes, think about that, have been destroyed. In tyler county officials are warning folks to quote, get out or die. That is the warning as water levels continue to rise. There is no First Responders there. They have no firstresponders to get to the flooded areas. But during this tragedy, you are really seeing something wonderful, and that is heart of who we are as a nation. It is heart of who the people in texas are. This is americas real being, this is our truth. You have got neighbors there helping neighbors. You see them in the video over and over again. People risking their own lives to rescue a complete stranger.
Will call this hearing to order. Will be waiting for senator hatch and will make an introduction. I want to welcome the nominees, i want to thank you for your willingness to serve thisssector country. Coming from the private sector myself and this is absolutely true, ive been very impressedhe with the quality of individuals that work for the federal government. This is nomination process is not easy, as youre well aware, but the fact that you have so many people who will step up to this plate and subject themselves to this process you can make a lot more in the private sector so this shows your dedication. In your Opening Statements, will introduce your families, i want to welcome all of them and ill leave it to you, just dont forget to introduce your family members. For my Opening Statement all i want to do is read the description of the jobs that youll be filling. And out. Ill turn it over to my Ranking Member, senator mccaskill and then senator hatch will be here to make an attentio
Will call this hearing to order. Will be waiting for senator hatch and will make an introduction. I want to welcome the nominees, i want to thank you for your willingness to serve thisssector country. Coming from the private sector myself and this is absolutely true, ive been very impressedhe with the quality of individuals that work for the federal government. This is nomination process is not easy, as youre well aware, but the fact that you have so many people who will step up to this plate and subject themselves to this process you can make a lot more in the private sector so this shows your dedication. In your Opening Statements, will introduce your families, i want to welcome all of them and ill leave it to you, just dont forget to introduce your family members. For my Opening Statement all i want to do is read the description of the jobs that youll be filling. And out. Ill turn it over to my Ranking Member, senator mccaskill and then senator hatch will be here to make an attentio
Will call this hearing to order. Will be waiting for senator hatch and will make an introduction. I want to welcome the nominees, i want to thank you for your willingness to serve thisssector country. Coming from the private sector myself and this is absolutely true, ive been very impressedhe with the quality of individuals that work for the federal government. This is nomination process is not easy, as youre well aware, but the fact that you have so many people who will step up to this plate and subject themselves to this process you can make a lot more in the private sector so this shows your dedication. In your Opening Statements, will introduce your families, i want to welcome all of them and ill leave it to you, just dont forget to introduce your family members. For my Opening Statement all i want to do is read the description of the jobs that youll be filling. And out. Ill turn it over to my Ranking Member, senator mccaskill and then senator hatch will be here to make an attentio