FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

HEARINGSBEFORE 'THE

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC .MARKETING,CONSUMER RELATIONS, AND NUTRITION

AND THE

FULL COMMITTEEOF THE

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTUREHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

NINETY-FIFTH CONGRESSFIRST SESSION

ON

H.R. 4844

MARCH 21,

FEBRUARY 28, 1977NEW YORK, N.Y.

22, 23, 24, 25, AND APRIL 5, 1977WASHINGTON, D.C.

Serial No. 95-D

Printed for the use of the Committee on Agriculture

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEWASHINGTON : 1977

Fh\G\- \S5

87-1 0

.1

COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURETHOMAS S. FOLEY, Washington, Chairman

W. IL. POAGE, Texas,Vice Chairman

E DE LA GARZA, TexasWALTER B. JONES, North CarolinaED JONES, TennesseeDAWSON MATHIS, GeorgiaGEORGE E. BROWN, JR., CaliforniaDAVID5 R. BOWEN, MississippiCHARLES ROSE, North CarolinaJOHN BRECKINRIDGE. Kentucky

, FREDERICK W. RICHMOND, New YorkRICHARD NOLAN, MinnesotaJAMES WEAVER, OregonALVIN BALDUS, WisconsinJOHN KREBS. CaliforniaTOM HARKIN, IowaJACK HIGHTOWER, TexasBERKLEY BEDELL, IowaMATTHEW F. McHUGH, New YorkGLENN ENGLISH, OklahomaFLOYD J. FITHIAN, IndianaJOHN W. JENRETTE, JR., South CarolinaRAY THORNTON, ArkansasLEON E. PANETTA, CaliforniaIKE SKELTON, MissouriJOSEPH S. AMMERMAN, PennsylvaniaJERRY HUCKABY, LouisianaDAN GLICKMAN, KansasDANIEL K. AKAKA, HawaiiHAROLD L. VOLKMER, MissouriCHARLES WHITLEY, North Carolina

WILLIAM C. WAMPLER, Virginia,Ranking Minority Member

KEITH G. SEBELIUS, KansasPAUL FINDLEY, IllinoisCHARLES THONE. NebraskaSTEVEN D. SYMMS, IdahoJAMES P. JOHNSON, ColoradoEDWARD R. MADIGAN. IllinoisMARGARET M. HECKLER, MassachusettsJAMES M. JEFFORDS, VermontRICHARD KELLY, FloridaCHARLES E. GRASSLEY, IowaTOM HAGEDORN, MinnesotaW. HENSEN MOjRM, T.o.ltoinnI -E. THOM COLEMAN, MissouriRON MARENE, Montana

PROFESSIONAL STAFFFOWLER C. WEST. Staff Director

RosRT M. BOR, Co0uuelHYDE H. MURRAY, Counsel

JOHN R. KRAMER, Speofal CounseeL. T. EASLEY, Press Assi8tant

SUBCOMMITTEE ON DOMESTIC MAMKTIING, CoNsuMER RELATIONS, AND NUTRrON

FREDERICK W. RICHMOND, New York, ChairmanMATTHEW F. McHUGH, New YorkDANIEL K. AKAKA, HawaiiLEON E. PANETTA, CaliforniaRICHARD NOLAN, MinnesotaALVIN BALDUS, WisconsinDAN GLICKMAN, KansasHAROLD I. VOLKMER, Missouri

STEVEN D. SYMMS, IdahoMARGARET 31. HECKLER, MassachusettsCHARLES E. GRASSLEY, Iowa

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CONTENTS

H.R. 4844, a bill to amend the Food Stamp Act of 1964, as amended, bysimplifying administration, encouraging participation, and eliminating Pat*fraud, and for other purposes.-131

STATEMENTSAkaka, Hon. Daniel K., a Representative in Congress from the State ofH aw aii..- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - 770Associated General Contractors of America -------------------------- 814Baf alis Hon. L. A. a Representative in Congress from the State of Florida- 268Balintfy, Josepi L., visiting professor, management science, University

of M aryland . ..... ........ ............ ............ ......... 687Beal Frank S., secretary of public welfare, Commonwealth of Penn-

sylvanla----------------------------------------------....... 503Beiell, Hon. Berkley, a Representative in Congress from the State of

Iowa..- -261Bergland, Hon. Bob, Secretary, U.S. Department of Agriculture --------- 890Bernstein, Blanche, deputy commissioner for income maintenance, New

York State Department "of Social Services--------------------------75Blackmon, Carol, Mississippi Hunger Coalition ----------------------- 373Booth, Rosie, food stamp recipient --------------------------------- 375Brown, Ronald H., deputy executive director, National Urban League,

Inc----------------------------------------- 593Buscaglia, Fred J., commissioner, Erie County Department of Social

Services-- 331Carmody, Teresa, director, Community Development Program, National

Congress of American Indians---------....................-707Chisholm, Ann, executive director, Maryland Food Committee- 658Chisholm, Hon. Shirley, a Representative in Congress from the State of

New Y5ork.--68Clayman Jacob, secretary-treasurer, Industrial Union Department,

AFL-IO- --------------------------------------------- 188Clusen, Ruth C., president, The League of Women Voters of the United

States-----------------778Coleman, Hon. E. Thomas, a Representative in Congress from the State

of Missouri ------------------------------------------------- 213Cragg, Shirley, food stamp field supervisor, Northern Virginia region,

Department of Welfare----------------------------------------491Cummings, Acy tenant farmer and food stamp recipient--------------- 233D'Alessandro, Joseph P., State attorney, 20th Judicial Circuit, State of

Florida------------------------------274Dabney Anita, project director, community nutrition program- .5; 7C, 40Davis, hilly G., director, division of public assistance fraud, office of the

auditor general, State of Florida --------------------------------- 294Delta Resources Committee_-787de Lugo, Hon. Ron, Delegate from the Virgin Islands ----------------- 766Dickinson, Hon. William L., a Representative in Congress from the State

of Alabama ------------------------------------------------- 249Diggs Estella B., chairperson, Subcommittee on Nutrition Programs,

N.A.S. Assembly Standing Committee on Social Services------------ 4Dring, Lincoln, director, Community Ministry of Montgomery County,

584East, Mary E., Human Resources of Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Va__ 582Echenhofer Jane, Alexandria, Department of Social Services, presented by

Shirley dragg ------------------------------------------------ 495(Il)

Iv

Ellington, J. T., Jr., Senior Assistant Postmaster General, U.S. Postal Toi.Service..- -808

Fensterwald, Bernard, Jr., legislative counsel, National Nutritional FoodsAssociation.- -645

Fenwick Hon. Millicent, a Representative in Congress from the State ofNew Jersey.----------------------------------------------- 254

Gartland, Dorothy, director, Chicago Metropolitan Food Stamp Coalition- 673Gotbaum, Victor, executive director, District Council 37, American Federa-

tion of State, County and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO, presentedby Robert C. Trotter-------------------------------------------16

Grassley, Hon. Charles E., a Representative in Congress from the State ofIowa. - --.- -176

Gutjahr, Vernon, staff attorney, National Association of FarmworkerOrganizations-------------------------------------............ 648

Hagin, Del, executive director, Community Ministry of Prince GeorgesCounty, Md------------------------------------------------583

Hart Rick, staff attorney, Food Research and Action Center ----------- 740Henderson, Jennifer, food stamp outreach coordinator, North Carolina

Hunger Coalition---------------------------------------------231Hess, Laura, chairwoman, Michigan Advisory Commission on Nutrition. 627Higgins, Thomas chairman, Human Resources Committee, Iowa House

otRepresentatives ------------------------------------------- 418Hildesheim, Shirley, food stamp recipient- -------------------------- 374Holt, Thad, member, Birmingham's- Community Affairs Committee,

Operation New Birmingham------------------------------------536Ho kins, Gerald W., executive director, Community Ministry of Fairfax

ounty------------------------------------------------- 5 78

Hutton, William R. National Council of Senior Citizens- W-823Inter-Tribal Council of Nevada----792Jagger, Lyn, Fairfax County, Department of Social Services 493James Marilyn, director, women, infant, and children program, Colville

Confederated Tribes--737Keith, Hugh, program director, expanded food and nutrition education

program, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Missouri- ------ 468Kirsch, Jeff, Food Research and Action Center- --------------------- 339Komer, Odessa, vice president, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agri-

cultural Implement Workers of America-------601Langenberg, James, Marshalltown, Iowa---------------------------697Lanza, Sam, labor representative, Community Services Committee,

Buffalo AFL-CIO Council_.-327Leidenfrost, Nancy B., Deputy Assistant Administrator, Expanded Food

and Nutrition Education Program, Home Economics Extension Service,U.S. Department of Agriculture ---------------------------------- 464

Lourie, Norman V., executive deputy secretary, Federal Programs andPolicy, Department of Public Welfare, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 499

MacEwan, Pam, director, Women's Lobby, Inc ----------------------- 380McKevitt, James D., Washington counsel, National Federation of Inde-

pendent Business---------------------------------------------850Magee, Frances, Community Service Society of New York ------------- 676Martin, John, legislative consultant, American Association of Retired

Persons------------------------402Masters, James I., director, Food Stamp Alert. - 49Mayer, Arnold, legislative representative, Amalgamated Meat Cutters

and Butcher Workmen ofNorth America, AFL-CI-_- 196Michel, Hon. Robert H., a Representative in Congress from the State of

Illinois. - -178Minger Mary Anna, food stamp recipient--232Mitcheil, Sherry, client relations group, Montgomery County, Md ......- 587National Association of Manufacturers ------------------------------ 872National Labor-Management Foundation ---------------------------- 816National Tribal Chairmen's Association--829Nebraska Department of Public Welfare-....- 549Olague, Dorothy Navajo Nation ----------------------------------- 714Olson, Martha, Utah issues information program ---------------------- 667O'Neill, Thomas P., III, Lieutenant Governor, Commonwealth of Massa-

chusetts ---------------------------------------------------- 350

V

Palmer, Nancie B., chairperson, Hunger Task Force, Community Council Pacof Greater New York ------------------------------------------ 22

Parker, Bettie, outreach director, Southeastern Vermont CommunityAction.- -751

Peake, B. W., member, Birmingham's Community Affairs Committee..-.- 526Peterson Neil, director Division of Community Services, Washington

State department of Social and Health Services --------------------- 458Pettis, Hon. Shirley N., a Representative in Congress from the State of

California -------------------------------------------------- 762Philbrook, Paul R., Vermont Commissioner of Social Welfare ------------ 439Pratt, Cheryl, food outreach worker, Champlain Valley office of Economic

Opportunity, Burlington, Vt ------------------------------------- 514Price, Robert, director, commodity food program, Papago Reservation.- 719Putsavage Tel, director, food law project------------------.---30, 62, 614Register, Frank D., executive director, National Association of Retail

Grocers of the United States------------------------------------ 700Romig, Michael J., associate director, Economic Security, Education and

Manpower, Chamber of Commerce of the United States -------------- 860Rosenzweig, Herb, deputy administrator for income maintenance, New

York City Human Resources Administration ----------------------- 89Rutherford, Thelma, Gray Panthers, Calvary Baptist Church, Washington,

D.C- 398Ryersbach Peter, director, Bread and Law Task Force-- 755Sampson, Melvin, Yakima Indian Nation-.............-710Sapp, Anne C., codirector, The Children's Foundation._ 384Sauer, Bernard J., Jr., executive vice president Personalized Plastics, Inc_ 689Scall, Lester, director of litigation, Migrant Legal Action Program, Inc.,

Washington, D.C.....-222Schiff, Arthur, moderator, Consumer and Administrative Problems Panel. 42Sebelius, Hon. Keith, a Representative Jn ongress from the State of

Kansas ---------------------------------------------------- 264Seidman, Bert, director Department of Social Security, American Federa-

tion of Labor, AFL-CIO .--------------------------------------- 607Sloat, William F., staff writer, Fort Myers (Fla.) News Press ---------- 309Smith, Anne, Arlington County, Department of Human Resources------ -492St. Laurent, Louis, chief assistant State attorney --------------------- 313Stromer, Barbara T., director, Assistance Payments Division, Minnesota

Department of Public Welfare ----------------------------------- 425Symms, Hon. Steven D., a Representative in Congress from the State of

Idaho- - - -174Teets, Robert M., Jr., directing attorney, Food Law Center ------------ 637Terry, Ruth E., nutrition education assistant, expanded food and nutrition

program, University of Missouri --------------------------------- 485Van Lenten, Christine, national child nutrition project ---------------- 378Virginia Department of Social Services-................-562Vowell, Raymond W., commissioner, State Department of Public Welfare,

State of Texas- 553Walker, Hon. Robert S., a Representative in Congress from the State of

Pennsylvania- ---------------------------------------------- 258Waller, Kathryn, executive secretary, North Carolina Hunger Coalition_. 236Ward, Helen D., attorney, Fairfield County Legal Services -------------- 519White, Randy, staff writer, Fort Myers News Press, Florida------------ 312Williams, Bernice T., food program coordinator, Nez Perce Tribe -------- 734Williams, Malcolm, reporter, Sentinel Star, Orlando, Fla- -------------- 743Wolverton, Charlotte, nutrition advocate, community nutrition program 119Woods, Marion J., director, California State Department of Benefit Pay-

ments. .---------------------------------------------------- 446CORRESPONDENCE

Beckwith, Charles R., letter of March 16, 1977 791Brooks, Sidney, director, food stamp program, city of New York, letter of'

March 29, 1977-126Caflero, James S Nes Jersey State senator, letter of March 10, 1977, to

Hon. William 1. Hughes, a Representative in Congress from the Stateof New Jersey----786

V1

DeLacy, Anthony B., Food Stamp Department, Delaware Couty Board Pagoof Assistance, Pennsylvania, letter of March 16, 1977 --------------- 796

Diggs, Estella B., member of assembly, State of New York, Albany,letter of March 29, 1977---------------------------------------111

Ellington, J. T., Jr., Senior Assistant Postmaster General, U.S. PostalService, letter of April 20, 1977----------------------------------885

Food law project community action for legal services, mailgrams. 123, 124, 125Foreman, Carol tucker, Assistant Secretary U.S. Department of Agricul-

ture, letter of April 20, 1977, to Hon. TChomas S. Foley, Chairman,House Committee on Agriculture-935

Goff, James W., CNP advocate letter of February 25, 1977. 114Hambro, Doris, nutrition coordinator, economic opportunity commission

of Nassau County, Inc., letter of February 25, 1977- ---------------- 116Harder, Robert C. secretary, State Department of Social and Rehabili-

tation Services, State of Kansas, letter of March 30, 1977 ------------- 847Hill, Diane B., social worker, Salvation Army, letter of April 4, 1977----- 858Hulbert, Sonya, director, Sussex County Welfare Board, letter of Decem-

ber 29, 1975.-760Hysom, Patricia and Bina G. Luiten, Northeast Washington Rural

Resources Development Association, State of Washington, letter ofMarch 17 1977, to Anita Brown, staff, House Committee on Agriculture- 800

Kelly, Eva Ruth and Jean Clark, Interfaith Task Force on Welfare Mem-bers, letter of March 17, 1977 ------------------------------------ 798

Komer, Odessa, vice president, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agri-cultural Implement Workers of America, letter of March 29, 1977 - ---- 654

Miller, Melville D., administrator, Middlesex County Legal ServicesCorp., letter of March 21, 1977---------------------------802

Morisey Alex and Angel R. Ortiz-Soto, Farmworkers Corporation ofN.J., letter of March 21,.1977, to Anita Brown, staff, House Committeeon Agriculture-----------------------------------------------804

Parron, Manuel, commissioner, Human Resources Administration, City ofNew York, letter of March 1977 --------------------------------- 953

Rosenzweig, Herb, deputy administrator for income maintenance, letterof March 29, 1977- 98

Scall, Lester, director of litigation, Migrant Legal Action Program, Inc.,Washington D.C., letter of March 30, 1977------------------------247

Shanbacker, R. Edward, visiting nurse service of New York, letter ------ 115Solarz, Hon. Stephen J., a Representative in Congress from the State of

New York, letter of March 8, 1977 ............................... 109Tirpak, Edward, administrative supervisor and Mark Schiffer, assistant

administrative supervisor, memo of March 7, 1977, to Edmond A. DeSantis, director, Passaic County Welfare Board---------------------784

Toia, Philip L., commissioner, Department of Social Services, State ofNew York, letter of March 28, 1977 ------------------------------ 837

Letter of April 13, 1977 --------------------------------------- 955Waller, Kathryn, executive secretary, North Carolina Hunger Coalition,

letter of March 31, 1977---------------------------------------243Watson, Al and Sharon Pedersen, Low-Income Group for Human Treat-

ment, L.I.G.H.T., letter of March 22, 1977, to Anita Brown, staff,House Committee on A *culture ------------------------------- 806

Woodard, Vernon, Food Programs Unit, Department of Social Services,State of Iowa, letter of March 2, 1977, to Anita Brown, staff, HouseCommittee on Agriculture -------------------------------------- 782

Wright, Margaret, community nutrition advocate, letter of February 25,1977 ------------------------------------------------------- 114

FOOD STAMP PROGRAM

THURSDAY, MA RS 24, 1977

HousE oF R.PESENTATnVE,SuBCOMrrm oi DoMESc MARKETN,

CoNSuMx REAONS, AND NUTIoN OF THECoMMITTE oN AomcuLTuz,

Waehin ton, D.C.The subcommittee met at 3:30 p.m., pursuant to recess, in room

1801, Longworth House Office Building, Hon. Frederick W. Rich-mond (chairman of the subcommittee) presiding.

Present: Representatives Nolan, Glickman, and Volkmer.Also pneent: Representative George Miller of California.Staff present : Fowler C. West, staff director; Eleanor Walsh,

clerk; Glenda L. Temple, Joseph R. Crapa, and Mary C. Jarratt.Mr. RICHMOND. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.We will resume the hearings of the Subcommittee on Domestic

Marketing, Consumer Relations, and Nutrition on food stamplegislation.

Our first witness-this afternoon is the Honorable Shirley Chisholm,Congriiwoman from Brooklyn, New York.

Please proceed, Ms. Chisholm.[The prepared statement submitted by Ms. Chisholm follows:]

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STATEMENT OF HON. SHIRLEY CHISHOLMA REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS FROM

THE STATE OF NEW YORK

MR. CHAIRMAN, I AM SHIRLEY CHISHOLM, CONGRESSWOMAN FROM THE

TWELFTH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT IN BROOKLYN AND THE VICE CHAIR OF

THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS. I AM PLEASED TO BE HERE THIS

AFTERNOON TO TESTIFY ON THE TOPIC OF THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, AND

I AM EQUALLY HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THIS COMMITTEE IS MAKING EFFORTS

TO MAKE THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM MORE EFFICIENT AND MORE EFFECTIVE

THROUGH ITS LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS IN THIS CONGRESS.

IT HAS DISTRESSED ME DEEPLY THAT DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS

THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM HAS-BEEN A KIND OF "WHIPPING BOY" OF THE

FORD ADMINISTRATION, AND THAT CRITICISM OF THIS PROGRAM EMANATED

FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY, THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE,

AND THE PRESIDENT HIMSELF. ALL OF US HEARD THE ALLEGATIONS THAT

THIS PROGRAM WAS NOT A COST EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO ENDING HUNGER

IN AMERICA, AND THE CHARGES THAT THE RECIPIENT ROLES WERE REPLETE

WITH CHISELERS WHO WERE DEFRAUDING THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT -- AND

THEREFORE THE TAXPAYERS -- IN A PROGRAM WHICH HAD LITTLE OVERSIGHT.

I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN MANY PLACES THROUGHOUT

THE COUNTRY ON A VARIETY OF SOCIAL-RELATED ISSUES, AND I WOULD

REPEATEDLY HEAR FROM MIDDLE AMERICANS THOSE CHARGES ABOUT THE

SUPPOSED GRAFT IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM. BY THE ADMINISTRATION'S

CAMPAIGN IN 1915 AND 1976, PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THE FOOD STAMP

PROGRAM HAD GROWN SO STRONG TRAT, AT TIMES, IT WAS DOUBTFUL WHETHER

THOSE OF US WHO ADVOCATED THIS-PROGRAM COULD SALVAGE A MEANINGFUL

PROGRAM IN THE 95TH CONGRESS.

AND, AS IF IT WERE NOT ENOUGH TO MANIPULATE THE ATTITUDES OF

)

569

OUR TAXPAYERS ON WHAT WAS ESSENTIALLY FALSE OR MISLEADING 'STATISTICAL

INFORMATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TOOK UNPRECEDENTED

STEPS IN TRYING TO RENDER THE PROGRAM INEFFECTIVE THROUGH ITS

REGULATION PROPOSALS. THOSE OF US WHO BELIEVE IN THE VALUE OF

THIS PROGRAM OWE A GREAT DEAL, IN MY ESTIMATION, TO THOSE ADVOCACY

GROUPS LIKE THE FOOD RESEARCH AND ACTION CENTER WHICH TOOK THE

U.S.D.A. TO COURT AND PREVENTED THE PAST ADMINISTRATION FROM

IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS WHICH WOULD HA E 'LIMITED PARTICIPATION

IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM. BUT IT IS, OF COURSE, A MOST UNFORTUNATE

SITUATION WHEN THE COURTS OF THIS COUNTRY HAVE TO BE USED TO FORCE

FEDERAL AGENCIES LIKE THE U.S.D.A. TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN

MANDATED BY CONGRESS TO DO.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE TO FIGHT THOSE LEGAL

BATTLES UNDER THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION, AND I KNOW FROM OUR

DISCUSSIONS WITH HIM AT THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS THAT

THE MILLIONS OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO DEPEND UPON THIS PROGRAM

HAVE A FRIEND IN SECRETARY BERGLAND.

IF WE CAN PROCEED IN CONGRESS TO BUILD A BETTER PROGRAM, THEN,

ONCE FREED FROM THE MISCONCEPTIONS CIRCULATED ABOUT THE PROGRAM,

I HOPE THAT WE CAN CREATE AS MUCH SUPPORT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL FOR

THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM AS WE HAVE FOR TAX REFORM OR ENERGY CON-

SERVATION. TO DO THAT, IT WILL BE ESSENTIAL 10 DESTROY SOME OF

THE MYTHS CREATED BY THE OPPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM AND PRESENT

TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC AN ACCURATE PORTRAIT OF WHO -RECEIVES

FOOD STAMP BENEFITS.

CERTAINLY ONE MISCONCEPTION WHICH I HAVE HEARD FREQUENTLY

IS THAT THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM IS PREDOMINENTLY A "BLACK" PROGRAM;

570

IN OTHER WORDS, THE MAJORITY OF RECIPIENTS OF FOOD STAMPS ARE

BLACK AMERICANS. THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE STATISTICS INDICATE,

HOWEVER, THAT 72 PER CENT OF THOSE CURRENTLY RECEIVING FOOD STAMP

BENEFITS ARE WHITE. WHEN WE SUSTAIN AND ENHANCE THIS PROGRAM,

WE WILL BE DOING SO FOR LOW-INCOME GROUPS FROM ALL RACES AND

ALL PARTS OF THE COUNTRY. THE ELIGIBILITY OF AMERICANS IN RURAL

AREAS IS EQUALLY -AS HIGH AS IN URBAN AREAS, AND SO THE NOTION

.THAT THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM IS A DIRECT AP) SPECIAL BENEFIT AIMED

AT HELPING INNERCITY BLACKS DENIES BOTH THE PURPOSE AND.THE

AVAILABILITY OF THE PROGRAM TO ALL SECTORS 07 THE COUNTRY.

NOR DO WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT IS WROUGHT WITH FRAUD AND

CORRUPTION. IT HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TIME AND TIME AGAIN THROUGH

THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE'S OWN STATISTICS THAT THE INCIDENCE

OF ERROR IS FAR LESS THAN MOST PEOPLE ASSUME, THAT IT IS ABOUT

HALF THE ERROR RATE EVIDENCED IN OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES LIKE

THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, AND THAT MOST OF THOSE ERRORS ARE

DUE TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM AND ARE NOT THE FAULT

OF THE PARTICIPANTS.

IT IS NOT TRUE EITHER IHAT A LARGE NUMBER OF MIDDLE-INCOME

AMERICANS PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM. EIGHTY-SEVEN PER CENT OF

THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM EARNED UNDER $6000 PER YEAR,

AND NEARLY ALL THOSE ABOVE THAT LEVEL RESIDE IN FAMILIES WHICH

HAVE FIVE MEMBERS OR MORE.

AND WHILE ADVOCATES AND OPPONENTS OF THE PROGRAM-HAVE BEEN

BUSY DEBATING THE STATISTICAL EVIDENCE, THERE HAS NOT BEEN MUCH

DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FACT THAT NEARLY HALF OF THOSE AMERICANS

WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM ARE

571

NOT DOING SO. THE FACT IS THAT SOME 42 MILLION AMERICANS RESIDE

IN FAMILIES WHICH ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM,

ACCORDING TO ESTIMATES BY THE SENATE NUTRITION COMMITTEE; YET,

THE MOST RECENT AVAILABLE FIGURES SHOW THAT ONLY 17.3 MILLION

WERE ENROLLED IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.

IT IS TO ME A SAD COMMENTARY THAT, IN THIS AGE OF OPULENCE

AND PLENTY IN THE UNITED STATES, WE HAVE A SITUATION-IN WHICH

NEARLY ONE FOURTH OF OUR PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FROM POOR NUTRITION

AND THE INAVAILABILITY OF DECENT FOOD. THE FIGURES SPEAK MORE

TO ME ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF HUNGER IN AMERICA THEN TO A PROGRAM

WHICH MANY BELIEVE IS TOO LENIENT IN ITS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS.

THOSE OF US AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL WHO STRIVE TO MAKE SOCIAL

SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THP IMPOVERISHED ARE OFTEN MADE TO REALIZE

THAT THE POOR ARE NOT FULLY PARTICIPATING IN THESEPROGRAMS. THAT

IS CERTAINLY THE CASE WITH THE POOD STAMPPROGRA-, BUT I BELIEVE

THAT THE SITUATION HAS DEVELOPED NOT BECAUSE POOR PEOPLE DO NOT

WANT THE PROGRAM; BUT RATHER, BECAUSE THE PROGRAM HAS NOT BEEN

MADE AVAILABLE TO THEM.

IN MY DISTRICT, THE PRIMARY OBSTACLES TO THE IMPOVERISHED

AND THE NEAR-POOR'S ENROLLMENT IN THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM ARE

PRIMARILY TWO: FIRST, NOT ALL OF THEM KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRAM;

AND SECONDLY, THE PURCHASE REQUIREMENT HAS PREVENTED THEM FROM

WANTING TO REAP THE BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM.

AS ALL OF YOU ARE UNDOUBTEDLY AWARE, WHEN THIS PROGRAM WAS

FIRST INTRODUCED TO COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY, IT WAS

IMPLEMENTED ON A VERY LIMITED BASIS. AGAIN, IT TOOK THE ACTIONS

OF ADVOCACY AND ANTI-?'UNGER GROUPS TO FORCE THE DEPARTMENT OF

AGRICULTURE TO MAKE THE PROGRAM AVAILABLE IN ALL COUNTIES, AND

87-765 0 - 77 * 37

572

THEN-4- ADVERTISE THE PROGRAM. THE OUTREACH ASPECT OF THE

FOOD STAMP PROGRAM IS STILL UNFULFILLED, AND THERE ARE MANY,

MANY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY WHO DESPERATELY NEED FINANCIAL

HELP TO SUPPLEMENT THEIR FOOD BUDGETS BUT SIMPLY DO NOT KNOW

THAT HELP. IS AVAILABLE. I SPOKE EARLIER THAT WE NEED TO BRING

THIS PROGRAM TO THE LOCAL LEVEL, AND WE MUST ENSURE THAT MUNICIPAL

GOVERNMENTS, SOCIAL SERVICE COMPONENTS OF STATE GOVERNMENTS,

CHURCH AND COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS CONTINUE TO PRESS THE

U.S.D.A. INTO SERVICING HUNGRY AMERICANS. UNLESS AND UNTIL

WE HAVE THE COOPERATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, NO MATTER HOW COMMITTED

THE TOP ADMINISTRATION IS TO THE PROGRAM, WE WILL STILL HAVE AN

UNDER-PARTICIPATION RATE IN THE PROGRAM.

SECONDLY, AND PERHAPS MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE MUST ENACT LEGISLATION

WHICH WILL. ELIMINATE THE PURCHASE REQUIREMENT. THERE ARE MANY RESIDENTS

OF MY DISTRICT WHO TELL ME THAT THE CANNOT "AFFORD" TO TAKE ADVANTAGE

OF THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM BECAUSE OF THE PURCHASE REQUIREMENT. IF

WE CONTINUE TO ASK POOR PEOPLE TO TIE UP A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF THEIR

INCOME AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MONTH BY PURCHASING A FOOD STAMP

ALLOTMENT, WE WILL AE, IN MY OPINION, ENCOURAGING LOW PARTICIPATION

IN THE PROGRAM. I UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THE CONCEPT OF HEAL

PLANNING AND INCOME-RELATED PURCHASING, BUT I THINK THE MOST OBVIOUS

LESSON ALL OF US HAVE LEANRED ABOUT FOOD STAMPS SINCE THE INCEPTION

OF THE PROGRAM IS THAT THE ONLY REAL REPERCUSSION OF THIS REQUIREMENT

HAS BEEN TO KEEP NEEDY PEOPLE FROM RECEIVING THE BENEFITS WE HAD

INTENDED FOR THEM.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ONE ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION ABOUT THE

DEFICIENCIES IN PAST EFFORTS AS THEY RELATE TO A PARTICULAR GROUP

OF AMERICANS. A MANY OF YOU MAY REALIZE, I HAVE A SPECIAL

573

CONCERN FOR AND INTEREST IN THE PLIGHT OF FAMILIES WHO ARE HEADED

BY SINGLE WOMEN. THIS IS A GROWING PHENOMENON IN OUR SOCIETY WHOSE

NEEDS WE HAVE NOT ACCOMMODATED IN OUR LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS. WE

HAVE A SITUATION THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY IN WHICH APPROXIMATELY

TWELVE PER CENT OF ALL FAMILIES ARE HEADED BY A SINGLE MOTHER;

IN MY OWN CITY OF NEW YORK, THE FIGURE IS CLOSER TO TWENTY PER CENT.

THE GROWTH OF THE SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY HAS INCREASED 33 PER CENT

IN THE LAST DECADE, AND THE MAJORITY OF THOSE FAMILIES LIVE ON

ANNUAL INCOMES WHICH FALL BELOW THE NATIONAL POVERTY LINE.

BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF FEDERAL ATTENTION TO THE SPECIAL

PROBLEMS OF THIS GROUP, I THINK CONGRESS, AS WELL AS LOCAL AGENCIES,

TENDS TO IGNORE THE PARTICULAR NEEDS OF THESE WOMEN, NEEDS FOR

DAY CARE, OR JOB TRAINING, OR NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS AND EDUCATION.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NEED FOR SOUND NUTRITION PROGRAMS AND IN

PARTICULAR A GOOD FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, WE HAVE, I BELIEVE. AN

OBLIGATION TO TAKE SPECIAL STEPS TO HELP THESE WOMEN MAKE THE

TRANSITION FROM POVERTY INTO MORE STABLE ECONOMIC CIRCUMSTANCESe

AND IF WE LOOK AT WHO GETS FOOD STAMPS NOW, IT IS OBVIOUS THAT

WE HAVE NOT DONE WELL IN A CONCERTED EFFORT TO PAY ATTENTION TO

THESE FAMILIES, SINCE 67 PER CENT OF ALL FOOD STAMP RECIPIENTS

ARE FEMALE, AND 56 PER CENT OF ALL FOOD STAMP-HOUSEHOLDS ARE

HEADED BY WOMEN. THE COMMUNITY NUTRITION INSTITUTE FOUND THAT

28 PER CENT OF ALL THE WOMEN- ELIGIBLE FOR FOOD STAMPS, MANY OF

THEK-HEADS OF HOUSEHOLDS, DID NOT PURCHASE THEIR FULL STAMP

ALLOTMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT AFFORD THE

PURCHASE PRICE.

IN SHORT, WOMEN WHO ARE HEADING HOUSEHOLDS TEND TO BE IN

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POVERTY, AND OUR SOCIETY, OUR GOVERNMENT, WILL KEEP THEM THERE

UNLESS WE MAKE SPECIFIC EFFORTS TO REVERSE THE TREND, AND AT THE

SAME TIME, HAKE AVAILABLE TO THEM ALL THE POSSIBLE BENEFITS

AVAILABLE THROUGH PROGRAMS LIKE THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM.

I INCLUDE IN THIS CONSIDERATION FOR A CHILD CARE DEDUCTION

IN EVALUATING A RECIPIENT'S ALLOTMENT. GOOD CHILD CARE IS EX-

PENSIVE, AND IT IS ALSO IN SHORT SUPPLY. FOR THOSE WOMEN WHO

ARE ABLE TO GET OFF THE WELFARE ROLLS AND INTO THE LABOR MARKET,

DAY CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN IS ESSENTIAL. BUT, BY NOT INCLUDING

THE COST OF DAY CARE FOR THOSE MARGINALLY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

AS A DEDUCTION, WE WOULD BE NOT ONLY PREVENTING ADDITIONAL PAR-

TICIPATION IN THE PROGRAM, WE WOULD BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE OTHER

FACTORS WHICH ENCOURAGE LOW-INCOME WOMEN TO REMAIN RECIPIENTS OF

A.F.D.C. AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS.

IN OUR FURTHER DISCttSSIONS IN THIS SESSION AND BEYOND ON

THE TOPIC OF WELFARE REFORM, I LOOK FORWARD TO DEVISING POLICIES

WHICH REFLECT, THE INTENT OF CONGRESS TO COORDINATE SERVICES AND

TO CONSISTENTLY EVALUATE THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN OUR SOCIETY WHO,

FOR FEW REASONS OF THEIR OWN, REMAIN DISADVANTAGED.

I THINK ALL OF MUST BE COGNIZANT TOO OF THE FACT THAT WE ARE

STILL FACED WITH THE REMNANTS OF WHAT HAS BEEN THE WORST NATIONAL

ECONOMIC CRISIS THIS COUNTRY HAS SEEN IN FORTY YEARS. WE STILL

HAVE MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED, MANY WHOSE UNEMPLOYMENT

COMPENSATION HAS EXPIRED. WE STILL HAVE MILLIONS OF FAMILIES WHOSE

INCOMES HAVE BEEN RENDERED INADEQUATE BY THE SPIRALING COST OF

LIVING, SOME TO THE POINT WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE HAD TO LEAVE

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SCHOOL AND GO TO WORK. AND WE HAVE IN MANY OF OUR GHETTOES AND--

BARRIOS THE TRAGEDY OF HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT AMOUNG OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

WHO WANT AND NEED TO WORK. THERE ARE VALID ESTIMATES WHICH

CONTEND THAT IN THESE AREAS, NEARLY 60 PER CENT OF BLACK TEENAGERS

ARE WITHOUT WORK, AND WITHOUT HOPE OF FINDING IT.

I MENTION THIS TO EMPHASIZE THAT THERE ARE STILL MIL--IONS

OF AMERICANS AMONG US WHOSE HEALTH AND WHOSE LIVES WILL DEPEND

UPON HOW WELL WE, AS LEGISLATORS, WRITE AND ENACT THE FOOD STAMP.

PROGRAM IN THE 95TH CONGRESS. AS LONG AS WE HAVE IMPOVERISHED

CITIZENS WHO CANNOT GET ENOUGH TO EAT, OR' WHO CANNOT AFFORD

THE KIND OF FOOD WHICH WILL PROVIDE THEM WITH HEALTH DIETS, THEN

I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT OUR NATIONAL NUTRITION POLICY IS SUFFICIENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO APPLAUD THE COMMITTEE, AND IN PARTICULAR

MR. RICHMOND WHO HAS MADE THE CAUSE OF THE HUNGRY A TOP PRIORITY

DURING HIS TENURE IN CONGRESS, FOR CONTINUING TO SEEK SOLUTIONS

TO THE PROBLEM OF HUNGER IN AMERICA.

THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS WILL, I ASSURE YOU, SUSTAIN

A HIGH INTEREST IN THE CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS YOU MAKE IN THIS

PROGRAM THIS YEAR. WE HOPE AND WE TRUST THA&TTHOSE-OF U-S WHO

BELIEVE SO STRONGLY IN FEDERAL EFFORTS TO ALLEVIATE HUNGER AND

POOR NUTRI ION IN THIS COUNTRY WILL SEE A NEW AND BETTER DAY

FOR THE FOOD STAMP PROGRAM, AND THAT CONGRESS WILL SUPPORT THE

EFFORTS OF THIS COMMITTEE TO MAKE THIS ESSENTIAL PROGRAM EFFICIENT,

COST EFFECTIVE AND, ABOVE ALL, AN INTREGAL STEP IN IDENTIFYING

AND ALLEVIATING HUNGER IN EVERY PART OF THIS COUNTRY.

THANK YOU.

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Mr. RICHMOND. Thank you for a most eloquent statement on foodstamps.

Are you familiar with the bill, H.R. 4844?M s. CHISHOLM. I have not-had a chance to get into it, yet.MrLRICHMOND. Would it be possible for you and the other mem-

bers of the Black Caucus to review the bill and either cosponsor ortell us what-additions you would like to have made to that bill?

Mr. CHISHOLM. Yes. No problem.Mr. RICHMOND. We are planning to begin markup soon. If you

have time to give us your opinions we would like very much to havethem, a- well as those of the Black Caucus as a group.

Ms. CHISHOLM. Mr. Chairman, I would like to say that I know thatthe Black Caucus-will react and give suggestions, guidance, and whathave you, but I think it is equally important that the white caucus-whatever that is-also recognize that this program does help morewhite citizens in this country than it does black citizens.

I do not kww where people get this idea. It is only because peopledo not do their homework. They jugt-grasp the emotionally chargedterminology that will provoke the most racist kind of backlash.

I resent this because the terminology they espouse finally reachesCapitol Hill and affects the legislators on Capitol Hill. Then theyget up on t.hw floor of the House of Representatives and don't knowwhat they are talking about.

This is what I worry about because the food stamp program doeshelp thousands of white citizens in this area, as well as a number ofblack 4tizens, but most people get the idea t hit the program is some-how a black-oriented program.

I know this so well because I travel around the country. I travelwith a little 5-by-7 card to tell the American people what the factsare. 3e need -to do that up here on the Hill.

Mr. RICHMOND. You know the per capita bonus value of foodstamps we get in New York State is relatively lower than many otherStates. Some Southern States receive a higher bonus return that wedo. We know the food stamp program helps the rural poor muchmore than it helps the urban poor.

Any comments from you or from the Black Caucus will be verywelcome.

We are most grateful.Mr. GLICKMAN. I might make one point. Sometimes people just do

not want to hear when given the facts. That is oftentimes the probrlem. You can have all the facts available, but if you are not receptiveit does not do any good.

Being new on this committee, I am just getting oriented to thenature of the food stamp program. There is an income supplementbasis here. Some people have difficulty in determining what it is.

If we determine it has a nutrition basis, woul~dyou personally haveany problem if the USAD were to come up with a nutritionally ac-ceptable list of food items that would limit the purposes for whichfood stamps may be used I What are your thoughts on this?

Ms. CIShIOLM. I have no objection to the U.S. Department ofAgriculture coining up with a list of .suggested foods, but we mustalways remember in a democratic society we have to leave the ele-

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meant of free choice and the element of a broader based choice for thecitizens, but there will be people, perhaps, who would be able to takeadvantage of the suggestion of a good, sound nutritional diet becausesome pAeople really do not know what is involved in putting togethera meal.

However, we must leave the element of choice to the people, notmandate what they must buy.

Mr. GLlCKMAN. There may be some kind of a middle ground. WhileI have been leaning to some sort of mandated program, maybe wecan, however, mandate the Department of Agriculture to preparesuch a list and have that list published and have it at locations wherefood stamps are utilized so that, perhaps, people will get some incen-tive on what types of foods to purchase. \.

Ms. CnHIOLM. I can support something like that. My only ques-tion would be the element of choice on the part of people.

Mr. RicHMioxD. The ranking minority member of our committee,Mr. Wampler, is very anxious to provide for nutrition education inthe legislation.

Ms. CHISHOLM. Yes. That is also very important.Mr. RxciCHMoND. Thank you very much, Ms. Chisholm.Ms. CHISHOL-M. Thank you. It has been a real pleasure.Mr. RciCtOND. Our next witness is Rev. Gerald Hopkins, Fairfax

Community Ministry of Fairfax, Va.He is accompanied by Rev. Lincoln Dring, Community Ministry of

Montgomery County, Rockville, Md., and Rev. A. Delano Hagin ofOxon Hill, Md.

Please proceed, Reverend Hopkins.[The prepared statement submitted by Mr. Hopkins follows:]