U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns
SECRETARY JOHANNS: "Mr. President,Mister Ministers,
"Let me start out and say that it is a great pleasure to be here in Madagascar.
"My wife Stephanie and I are honored to be here. We have enjoyed firsthand the beauty and the natural resources of this remarkable country, and we look forward to our visit over the hours ahead. We certainly appreciate your warm welcome.
"I am here in order that our two countries will further develop our common interests, continued cooperation in the progress on economic reforms that will expand freedom, security and prosperity to all.
"To the President, President Bush extends warm greetings to you and wants you to know that we are honored to be with you in your efforts to improve the lives of Madagascar's citizens.
"When your President came to Washington a few months ago, we discovered that we have much in common when we visited. We both grew up on dairy farms.
"I grew up in a small, near a small community in Mitchell County, Iowa, in the center of the United States, the son of dairy farmers. At a very young age, I developed a deep respect for the land and a work ethic that helps to define who I am as a person. I will always be a farmer's son with an intense interest in agriculture.
"I know that your President shares the same beliefs in the importance of agriculture in this country. The President has shared with me his vision for Madagascar to develop an agricultural sector that is internationally competitive, a driving economic force, which has the greatest potential to help the many rural residence of this country.
"We in the United States are very glad to be in partnership with you in the help to make this plan a reality.
"President Bush often stresses that we lead by example. That's why I am here today, to advance our efforts to reduce global poverty, to improve economic performance and to raise living standards around the world. That will benefit all nations.
"Our countries' bond in friendship has been made even stronger today by the agreement that we have signed.
"The Memorandum of Understanding lays the groundwork for mutually beneficial activities in many areas.
"I am also pleased to sign a Food for Progress agreement with the government of Madagascar. Under this agreement, valued at $10 million, the United States will donate 15,000 tons of soybeans, 3,000 tons of wheat and 500 tons of nonfat dry milk to Madagascar.
"These commodities will be sold locally, and the proceeds generated and will be used to establish:
"a national agricultural statistics system
"conduct a school milk program
"and fund capacity building.
"Let me also note the honor Madagascar has in being the first recipient of funding from the Millennium Challenge Grants. This 4-year grant of nearly $110 million will support a program designed to raise incomes by bringing people in rural areas from subsistence agriculture to be able to increase their productivity and their income.
"This program is designed to assist nations that embrace political and economic reform that advances the freedoms and opportunities available to people around the world.
"It is part of President Bush's vision for global development that rewards countries, like Madagascar, that you are well governed, invest in people and encourage economic and personal freedom.
"Mr. President, for addressing all of these goals, I tell you, on behalf of our country, we are very proud of you and we are very proud of Madagascar.
"Today, the United States is continuing its partnership with the people of Madagascar to meet their country's unique challenge to preserve the environment and create jobs.
"I am proud that the U.S. Department of Agriculture already has a good working relationship with Madagascar, its President and the Ministers, working in areas such as pest risk assessment and forestry.
"For example, we are working together to provide assistance on market analysis and pest risk assessment. This illustrates our commitment to developing two-way trade between our countries.
"I might also mention that under the Cochran Fellowship Program, which provides short-term training in the United States to increase trade links with U.S. agribusiness, the first Cochran Fellows from Madagascar came to the United States in June to assess the U.S. market and to develop contacts with U.S. buyers.
"I am also proud that our Forest Service has been working with your government on a national environmental action plan to cut the rate of forest loss.
"Many of us in the United States already know of Madagascar's unparalleled beauty and extraordinary wildlife. Many of the plants and animals found here are found nowhere else in our world.
"All of these programs are a part of our efforts to build a strong, and enduring partnership with the people of Madagascar.
"We all recognize that there is much work to be done. But I am here today to celebrate your success, to honor the work of the President and his team, and to extend to the people of Madagascar our desire and our pledge to work together in the future. Finally, you have the pledge and the personal commitment of President Bush and the United States to help in this endeavor and we look forward to doing all that we can to help you, Mr. President, realize the dreams and the aspirations that you have for your country.
"To all of you, thank you."
Transcript Of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns At the Signing Ceremony for MOU and a Food for Progress Agreement - Antananarivo, Madagascar - July 16, 2005
"Let me start out and say that it is a great pleasure to be here in Madagascar.
"My wife Stephanie and I are honored to be here. We have enjoyed firsthand the beauty and the natural resources of this remarkable country, and we look forward to our visit over the hours ahead. We certainly appreciate your warm welcome.
"I am here in order that our two countries will further develop our common interests, continued cooperation in the progress on economic reforms that will expand freedom, security and prosperity to all.
"To the President, President Bush extends warm greetings to you and wants you to know that we are honored to be with you in your efforts to improve the lives of Madagascar's citizens.
"When your President came to Washington a few months ago, we discovered that we have much in common when we visited. We both grew up on dairy farms.
"I grew up in a small, near a small community in Mitchell County, Iowa, in the center of the United States, the son of dairy farmers. At a very young age, I developed a deep respect for the land and a work ethic that helps to define who I am as a person. I will always be a farmer's son with an intense interest in agriculture.
"I know that your President shares the same beliefs in the importance of agriculture in this country. The President has shared with me his vision for Madagascar to develop an agricultural sector that is internationally competitive, a driving economic force, which has the greatest potential to help the many rural residence of this country.
"We in the United States are very glad to be in partnership with you in the help to make this plan a reality.
"President Bush often stresses that we lead by example. That's why I am here today, to advance our efforts to reduce global poverty, to improve economic performance and to raise living standards around the world. That will benefit all nations.
"Our countries' bond in friendship has been made even stronger today by the agreement that we have signed.
"The Memorandum of Understanding lays the groundwork for mutually beneficial activities in many areas.
"I am also pleased to sign a Food for Progress agreement with the government of Madagascar. Under this agreement, valued at $10 million, the United States will donate 15,000 tons of soybeans, 3,000 tons of wheat and 500 tons of nonfat dry milk to Madagascar.
"These commodities will be sold locally, and the proceeds generated and will be used to establish:
"a national agricultural statistics system
"conduct a school milk program
"and fund capacity building.
"Let me also note the honor Madagascar has in being the first recipient of funding from the Millennium Challenge Grants. This 4-year grant of nearly $110 million will support a program designed to raise incomes by bringing people in rural areas from subsistence agriculture to be able to increase their productivity and their income.
"This program is designed to assist nations that embrace political and economic reform that advances the freedoms and opportunities available to people around the world.
"It is part of President Bush's vision for global development that rewards countries, like Madagascar, that you are well governed, invest in people and encourage economic and personal freedom.
"Mr. President, for addressing all of these goals, I tell you, on behalf of our country, we are very proud of you and we are very proud of Madagascar.
"Today, the United States is continuing its partnership with the people of Madagascar to meet their country's unique challenge to preserve the environment and create jobs.
"I am proud that the U.S. Department of Agriculture already has a good working relationship with Madagascar, its President and the Ministers, working in areas such as pest risk assessment and forestry.
"For example, we are working together to provide assistance on market analysis and pest risk assessment. This illustrates our commitment to developing two-way trade between our countries.
"I might also mention that under the Cochran Fellowship Program, which provides short-term training in the United States to increase trade links with U.S. agribusiness, the first Cochran Fellows from Madagascar came to the United States in June to assess the U.S. market and to develop contacts with U.S. buyers.
"I am also proud that our Forest Service has been working with your government on a national environmental action plan to cut the rate of forest loss.
"Many of us in the United States already know of Madagascar's unparalleled beauty and extraordinary wildlife. Many of the plants and animals found here are found nowhere else in our world.
"All of these programs are a part of our efforts to build a strong, and enduring partnership with the people of Madagascar.
"We all recognize that there is much work to be done. But I am here today to celebrate your success, to honor the work of the President and his team, and to extend to the people of Madagascar our desire and our pledge to work together in the future. Finally, you have the pledge and the personal commitment of President Bush and the United States to help in this endeavor and we look forward to doing all that we can to help you, Mr. President, realize the dreams and the aspirations that you have for your country.
"To all of you, thank you."
Transcript Of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns At the Signing Ceremony for MOU and a Food for Progress Agreement - Antananarivo, Madagascar - July 16, 2005
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