[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 124 (Thursday, September 17, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H7928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           AGRICULTURE CRISIS

  (Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. LUCAS of Oklahoma. Mr. Speaker, as a cow/calf operator from 
western Oklahoma, I can tell you firsthand that the crisis in rural 
America is real. Our producers are plagued by weak grain prices, 
drought, bugs, wildfire, and dwindling forage and hay supplies. Good 
farmers are losing equity and millions of dollars are being lost to our 
economy.
  As our markets become as dry as the land we farm, the Clinton 
administration has failed to come forward with an emergency aid plan 
that will help producers make it until next year. These desperate times 
require swift and concise measures to aid our producers in their time 
of need. Partisan politics and demagoguery cannot be tolerated during 
this crisis. The Administration must quit using farmers like a 
political football and start making substantive decisions at the USDA. 
Oklahoma crop and livestock losses already amount to well over $1 
billion. Action is needed now.
  Come on, Secretary Glickman. Our farmers are waiting.

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