[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 1 (Wednesday, January 4, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E17]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E17]]
   NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL WEATHER INFORMATION SYSTEMS ACT IMPROVEMENTS

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                      HON. JAMES A. TRAFICANT, JR.

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 4, 1995
  Mr. TRAFICANT. Mr. Speaker, last year I introduced legislation H.R. 
1016, which would amend the National Agriculture Weather Information 
Systems Act of 1990 to improve the collection and distribution of 
weather information to assist agricultural producers. Today, I am again 
introducing this bill, and I urge all Members to cosponsor this 
important legislation.
  The 1990 farm bill established the National Agricultural Weather 
Information System under the U.S. Department of Agriculture to meet the 
weather and climate information needs of agricultural producers. I 
believe that the program is vital because it collects and organizes 
weather information from universities, State programs, Federal agencies 
and the private weather consulting sector. Moreover, it provides 
funding for weather research programs.
  However, it provides for the establishment of only 10 State 
agricultural weather information systems that are responsible for 
disseminating information to agricultural producers in those States. 
That leaves a large portion of this Nation's agricultural producers 
without any assistance.
  Mr. Speaker, my legislation fills the gaps left by present law by 
requiring the Secretary of Agriculture to enter into an agreement with 
the Secretary of Commerce to use Weather Service offices and Weather 
Service forecast offices to collect, organize, and distribute 
information aimed at meeting the short-term and long-term weather and 
climate information needs of agricultural producers. Each field office 
of the National Weather Service will be responsible for collecting and 
organizing information that will impact the region that it covers.
  H.R. 1016 will provide agricultural producers throughout the Nation 
with comprehensive and timely information. Weather information is 
central to agricultural producers across the Nation because variations 
in weather conditions can cause huge losses in production. My 
legislation will reduce the risk of profit loss.
  Once again, Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to cosponsor this 
important legislation.


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