21.   I wanted to invite him down and show him living conditions in sugar industry.

22.   In subsequent interviews, he even suggested that the sugar industry had used its political muscle to squelch a competitor.

23.   In the political war over the proposed penny-a-pound tax on the sugar industry, sugar producers and environmentalists are battling for the black vote.

24.   Mexico created the tax in January to help the sugar industry battle a growing surplus because the United States refused to increase its quota on sugar from Mexico.

25.   Naturally, the sugar industry also refutes these reports.

26.   Now the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is offering a permit, but it has all kinds of strings that South Florida water managers and the sugar industry object to.

27.   Officials had been urging reform of the antiquated sugar industry for years.

28.   Over the years, Dole has voted to protect the sugar industry and has opposed efforts to phase out sugar price supports.

29.   Reaction from the sugar industry Thursday ranged from mockery to praise.

30.   Specifically, the government was hurt by the withdrawal of some loans last year that financed the fertilizer and machinery needed for the sugar industry.