09/30/05 U.S. House Ag Chair visiting eastern WA

Washington Ag September 30, 2005 When U.S. House Agriculture Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte joins 5th District Congresswoman Cathy McMorris for an Ag Forum in Ritzville tomorrow, it will be the Virginia Republican's first visit to eastern Washington. Goodlatte says there are many issues on the national ag agenda, budget cuts, trade negotiations and the next farm bill. Goodlatte: "We will start the process of holding hearings around the country late this year and into next year but this will be an opportunity or Congresswoman McMorris' constituents to have some early expressions and viewpoints on how they would like to see that next farm bill formulated." Congresswoman McMorris says the part of the Ritzville forum will include a panel of presentations. McMorris: "One representing wheat growers. One representing cattlemen. One representing banks. One representing fertilizer and one giving the overall. Just trying to hit a variety of the issues that are facing farmers right now and making it more and more difficult." That ag forum in Ritzville is tomorrow from 12:30 to 2 p.m. at the Ritzville American Legion. Later Saturday afternoon Goodlatte is participating in a fund raiser for McMorris in Othello. I"m Bob Hoff.