[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 493 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 493

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary 
 of Agriculture should provide timely assistance to Texas farmers and 
 livestock producers who are experiencing worsening drought conditions.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 24, 1998

 Mr. Thornberry submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
                    to the Committee on Agriculture

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Secretary 
 of Agriculture should provide timely assistance to Texas farmers and 
 livestock producers who are experiencing worsening drought conditions.

Whereas drought conditions continue throughout the State of Texas, and the 
        National Weather Service has reported that all 10 climatic regions in 
        Texas have received below average rainfall from March through May, a 
        critical time in the production of corn, cotton, sorghum, wheat, and 
        forage crops in Texas;
Whereas the statewide economic impact of the drought on Texas agriculture could 
        be more than $1,700,000,000 in losses, according to the Texas 
        Agricultural Extension Service;
Whereas the direct loss of income to agricultural producers in Texas is 
        $517,000,000, which will lead to a loss of another $1,200,000,000 in 
        economic activity for the state;
Whereas the total losses for Texas cotton producers have already reached an 
        estimated $157,000,000;
Whereas, as of May 31, 1998, the condition of nearly half of the rangeland in 
        Texas was rated as poor or very poor as a result of the lack of rain;
Whereas the value of lost hay production in Texas will approach an estimated 
        $175,000,000 statewide, leading to an economic impact of $582,000,000;
Whereas dryland fruit and vegetable production losses in East Texas have already 
        been estimated at $33,000,000;
Whereas the early rains in many parts of Texas produced a large quantity of 
        forage that, because of the subsequent drought conditions, is now 
        extremely dry and a dangerous source of fuel for wildfires; and
Whereas the Texas Forest Service has indicated that over half of the State is in 
        extreme or high danger of wildfires due to the drought conditions: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that, with regard to the drought conditions in the State of Texas, the 
Secretary of Agriculture should--
            (1) streamline the drought declaration process to provide 
        relief to Texas farmers and livestock producers as quickly as 
        possible;
            (2) ensure that Farm Service Agency offices in Texas are 
        equipped with full-time and emergency personnel in drought-
        stricken areas to assist producers with disaster loan 
        application packages;
            (3) instruct the United States Forest Service to assist the 
        State of Texas and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in 
        prepositioning fire fighting equipment and other appropriate 
        resources in affected Texas counties;
            (4) authorize haying and grazing on acreage enrolled in the 
        conservation reserve program; and
            (5) convene experts within the Department of Agriculture to 
        develop and implement an emergency plan to help prevent 
        wildfires and to overcome the adverse economic impact of the 
        continuing drought so the Department of Agriculture can provide 
        assistance in a rapid and efficient manner for producers who 
        are suffering from drought conditions.
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