[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 83 (Tuesday, June 23, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S6890]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 253--EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE SENATE RELATIVE TO 
         TEXAS FARMERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DROUGHT CONDITIONS

  Mr. GRAMM (for himself and Mrs. Hutchison) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Agriculture, 
Nutrition, and Forestry:

                              S. Res. 253

       Whereas, the statewide economic impact of the drought on 
     Texas agriculture could be more than $1.7 billion in losses, 
     according to the Texas Agricultural Extension Service;
       Whereas, the direct loss of income to agricultural 
     producers is $517 million, which will lead to a loss of 
     another $1.2 billion in economic activity for the state;
       Whereas, the National Weather Service has reported that all 
     10 climatic regions in the State of Texas have received below 
     average rainfall from March through May, a critical time in 
     the production of corn, cotton, sorghum, wheat, and forage;
       Whereas, the total losses for Texas cotton producers have 
     already reached an estimated $157 million;
       Whereas, nearly half of the State of Texas' rangelands as 
     of May 31, 1998, was rated as ``poor'' or ``very poor'' as a 
     result of the lack of rain;
       Whereas, the value of lost hay production in the State of 
     Texas will approach an estimated $175 million statewide, 
     leading to an economic impact of $582 million;
       Whereas, dryland fruit and vegetable production losses in 
     East Texas have already been estimated at $33 million;
       Whereas, the early rains in many parts of Texas produced a 
     large quantity of forage that is now extremely dry and a 
     dangerous source of fuel for wildfires;
       Whereas, the Texas Forest Service has indicated that over 
     half the state is in extreme or high danger of wildfires due 
     to the drought conditions.
       Resolved, That it is the Sense of the Senate of the United 
     States that the Secretary of Agriculture streamline the 
     drought declaration process to provide necessary relief as 
     quickly as possible; that the Secretary of Agriculture ensure 
     that local Farm Service Agency offices are equipped with full 
     time and emergency personnel in drought-stricken areas to 
     assist producers with disaster loan application packages; 
     that the Secretary of Agriculture instruct the United States 
     Forest Service to assist the State of Texas and the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency in pre-positioning fire fighting 
     equipment and other appropriate resources in affected Texas 
     counties; that the Secretary of Agriculture authorize haying 
     and grazing on Conservation Reserve Program acreage; that the 
     Secretary of Agriculture convene experts within the 
     Department to develop and implement an emergency plan to help 
     prevent wildfires and to overcome the 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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