ORGANIZATION FOR COMPETITIVE MARKETS

P.O. Box 6486

Lincoln, NE 68506

Web site: www.competitivemarkets.com

Date: October 30, 2002 For Immediate Release

OCM Mourns the Loss of Paul Wellstone

Paul Wellstone has been eloquently eulogized since his death last Friday. We at OCM can say little that has not been said better. But we must say what we feel.

Our country has too few leaders of principle. Now we have one less. Paul Wellstone followed his beliefs in striving for systematic change rather than pursuing incrementalism or compromise.

Paul Wellstone was from Minnesota, but he represented independent producers everywhere. He introduced and fought for the agribusiness merger moratorium several years ago. Thereafter, he introduced and/or supported every pro-competition bill introduced in the Senate including the packer ownership ban.

All of us who have met Senator Wellstone were struck by his warmth, humility and generosity. It is difficult to overstate these qualities because they were penetrating.

The question now becomes: What will be his legacy? Will we continue violating his principle that Rural America is served best by a family-based, diverse farm and ranch sector? Will our leadership continue to say that the “political realities” foreclose positive change? Or will Senator Wellstone’s life encourage us to fight for and achieve his vision of a better world with reduced power of economic dictatorship? This is a legacy with which he would be pleased.

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