Thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is indeed a pleasure to be with you here in San Antonio to talk about the Technical Services effort provided to textile mills and their customers around the world on behalf of the U.S. cotton producer. Cotton Incorporated is excited about the results of the marketing and the technical efforts produced by all facets of this industry as they have been reflected in an increase in cotton's share of the market in many product areas. But, whatever measure one should choose to use--whether it is cotton use by domestic mills that shows the definite improvements since 1975, or examination of a specific end-use market like men's knit shirts--the message is clear: cotton is gaining!

One of the key ingredients in the successful marketing of a textile fiber, machine or chemical is active, not "passive," technical service. Let's review for a moment the "why," "what," and "how" factors in technical services in support of U.S. cotton by Cotton Incorporated.