[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 135 (Thursday, October 7, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2056]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONFERENCE REPORT ON H.R. 1906, AGRICULTURE, RURAL DEVELOPMENT, FOOD 
 AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000

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                               speech of

                          HON. SAXBY CHAMBLISS

                               of georgia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 1, 1999

  Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1906. H.R. 1906 
contains funding for many vitally important programs in agriculture. 
This bill provides appropriations for those programs that were 
authorized in the 1996 farm bill. Furthermore, this bill provides 
important funding for the foundation of agriculture research. Continued 
research will provide answers that enable farmers to continue to 
improve efficiency in providing food for our table.
  Specifically the bill includes funds for the National Center for 
Peanut Competitiveness, a program that establishes a broad-based 
research program directed toward assuring the competitiveness of U.S. 
peanuts in the world market. Also included is funding to allow the 
University of Georgia to research tomato spotted wilt virus, a plant 
virus that has become a major yield-limiting constraint on many 
important food crops in South Georgia. The bill also contains funds for 
peanut allergy collaborative research as well as onion research.
  In addition, our farmers have once again faced another disastrous 
year. Farmers who were fortunate to have a crop are faced with the 
lowest prices in decades. Adverse weather conditions have resulted in 
another disaster. This bill also contains disaster assistance for 
farmers who have suffered yet another crop failure. My farmers cannot 
afford to wait any longer on relief.
  Mr. Speaker, I am disappointed that dairy and sanction provisions 
were not included in the current appropriations bill. The funds 
appropriated in the bill will aid farmers in surviving another year of 
adverse weather conditions and low commodity. Peanut and tobacco 
farmers will all receive aid in the form of market assistance payments, 
market loss payments or direct payments. The bill also includes funds 
to replenish the step two cotton program. In addition fruit and 
vegetable growers along with dairy and livestock producers will receive 
assistance from this package and other essential measures that are 
critical to our producers.
  This bill is not a cure all. However, it is imperative that we don't 
delay this funding any longer. I urge all my colleagues to support 
passage of conference report.

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