National Grange Plans Presidential Forum

October 18, 1999

The National Grange plans a presidential candidates' forum at its Nov. 8-14 convention in Portland, ME. Trade and farm policy also will be high on the 133^rd national convention agenda including assessments of the performance and future of the 1996 farm law.

"On the eve of the 2000 presidential election, this (presidential forum) promises to be an innovative part of our program," says National Grange President Kermit W. Richardson. "Rather than be a formal debate, our forum will present an opportunity for all declared candidates from the three major political parties to address our convention regarding how they would handle the critical issues facing rural America for the 21^st century."

A question and answer session from the audience has been planned following each candidate's remarks. The forum is scheduled for 1-5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, the opening day of the convention. The location tentatively has been designated as the 1,900-seat Merrill Auditorium, 239 Park Ave., Portland.

Among the issues the Grange plans to address at the convention are the performance of the 1996 farm law and its future implications for effective risk management programs; the benefits for continuing U.S. free trade agreements and insulating the Social Security trust fund from general revenues.

Other issues include dairy marketing order reforms, modernizing rural school facilities, improving health care facilities in rural areas, adopting a 100% deduction of private health insurance premiums for the self-employed and ensuring adequate telecommunication and Internet access for rural communities.