[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 140 (Thursday, October 8, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1947]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 4101, AGRICULTURE, FOOD AND DRUG 
     ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999

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                               speech of

                            HON. RON PACKARD

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 2, 1998

  Mr. PACKARD. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my extreme 
disappointment in the President's threats to veto the FY 99 Agriculture 
Appropriations bill. This is legislation which will provide much needed 
aid for cashed-strapped farmers this fall.
  American farmers are by far the most productive in the world. These 
hard working men and women epitomize every value that makes America 
great. They run their business on a dream and hard work with a constant 
concern over the weather conditions, hoping for a good crop. During a 
bad season, some pray daily to be able to put food on the table for 
their families. Now, after a season of low commodity prices and bad 
weather, the Democrats are looking to eliminate the emergency aid to 
those who grow our nation's food supply by urging the President to veto 
the FY 99 Agriculture Appropriations Act. This is unacceptable.
  The fact is, the House more than doubled the only request received 
from the President, from $1.8 billion to $4.2 billion for emergency aid 
to help farmers. It is irresponsible for the President to play partisan 
politics with people's lives.
  Mr. Speaker this is no time to play politics. I urge the President to 
rise above the temptation to exploit this issue for his political 
advantage and sign the FY 99 Agriculture Appropriations Act into law.

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