January 14, 2001

Washington, D.C.-The new year brings with it the obligatory New Year's resolutions - promises to end bad habits or start exercising - that most people make and work to keep throughout the year. This year, as I prepare for my fifth term as a member of Congress representing the people of Oklahoma, I have made some resolutions of my own. They are to continue to represent the citizens of the Sixth District of Oklahoma with pride and to work to give Oklahomans the opportunity to make better lives for themselves.

Although some naysayers are predicting gridlock in the coming years, I believe the coming session has as much promise for enacting positive legislation for Oklahomans as any time that I've been a member of Congress. I'm looking forward to the inauguration of a new President, and along with that the appointment of a new cabinet.

I have confidence that our next president will support Congress' efforts for real tax cuts, including the elimination of the inheritance tax, or death tax, as well as the elimination of the unfair tax on married couples, appropriately named the "marriage penalty" tax.

A new cabinet means a new agriculture secretary. I'm hopeful that Ann Veneman, President-Elect Bush's selection as the new agriculture secretary, will be a supporter of the needs of agriculture producers. I'm looking forward to working with Ms. Veneman on agriculture issues like giving producers the option to collect an LDP payment on grazed-out wheat, and refurbishing the nation's aging watershed dams.

These are issues I've been heavily involved with as a member of the agriculture committee, and since I have been named as the chairman of an agriculture subcommittee, I will now be able to give even stronger representation in Congress for farm producers.

We'll be gearing up for the 107th session of Congress later this month. I'm looking forward to the coming year, and I resolve to redouble my efforts to represent all members of the sixth district.