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JUNE 15, 2001

More than 160 farm groups have asked Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, to block the nomination of President Bush's nominee for Undersecretary of Agriculture.

The farm groups oppose Thomas Dorr because of his support of large corporate agribusinesses. They say these "mega-farms" take advantage of small famers.

Dorr is also being opposed by civil rights groups for statements he has made on religious and ethnic diversity. The Congressional Black Caucus has asked Harkin to investigate Dorr's remarks on the issue.

Harkin has not taken a position on Dorr and has not yet scheduled hearings.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman has defended Dorr as a "visionary."

Get the Story:
Farm Groups Assail USDA Choice (The Washington Post 6/15)

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