[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E307-E308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        THE OCCASION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RURAL CAUCUS KICK-OFF

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                          HON. EVA M. CLAYTON

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 14, 2000

  Mrs. CLAYTON. Mr. Speaker, not long ago I made a statement on the 
Floor of the House that, I believe, underscores the pressing need for a 
new and revived Rural Caucus.
  I noted that, at the Farm Resource Center, a national crisis line for 
farmers, those seeking help can not get through.
  The line is always busy. Small farmers and ranchers are struggling to 
survive in America. In fact, small farmers and ranchers are a dying 
breed. And, because they are a dying breed, quality and affordable food 
and fiber for all of us is at risk.
  Passage of the 1996 Farm Bill sounded the death knell for many of our 
Nation's farmers and ranchers.

[[Page E308]]

  Farmers and ranchers, able to eke out a living from the land in past 
years, now find it almost impossible to break even. Most are losing 
money and fighting to stay in the farming business. And, the crisis 
line is busy.
  We are all aware of the problems tobacco is having.
  But, in North Carolina, according to a recent news report, the 
state's top farm commodity, hogs, have experienced a fifty percent drop 
in prices since 1996. Wheat is down forty-two percent. Soybeans are 
down thirty-six percent. Corn--thirty-one percent; peanuts--twenty-
eight percent.
  Turkey and cotton prices are down twenty-three percent, since 1996.
  In fact, my friends, at the time I made my remarks, there was no 
commodity in North Carolina that makes money for farmers. And, the 
crisis line is busy. In 1862, the year the Department of Agriculture 
was created, ninety percent of the population farmed for a living.
  Today, American producers represent less than 3 percent of the 
population.
  By 1992, there were only 1.1 million small farms left in the United 
States, a 45 percent decline from 1959! North Carolina had only a 
little over 39,000 farms left in 1992, a 23 percent decline. In 1920, 
there were over 6 million farms in the United States and close to a 
sixth--926,000 were operated by African-Americans. In 1992, the 
landscape was very, very different.
  Only 1 percent of the farms in the United States are operated by 
African-Americans.
  One percent--18,816, is a paltry sum when African-Americans comprise 
13 percent of the total American population.
  In my home state of North Carolina, there has been a 64 percent 
decline in minority farmers, just over the last 15 years, from 6,996 
farms in 1978 to 2,498 farms in 1992.
  All farmers are suffering under this severe economic downturn.
  Just before I made my remarks on the Floor, I spoke with a farmer who 
was working off the farm--not to earn extra money--but, to earn enough 
money to save his small farm.
  He made no money from the farm, in fact he lost money.
  Taking a job off the farm was the only thing he could do to save his 
farm and pass it on to his children.
  The man is seventy years old.
  And, the crisis line is busy.
  Mr. Speaker, when next you drive through a state where the food and 
fiber for America is produced--the least expensive and best quality 
food and fiber in the world--take note of the farm, and the people who 
are trying to make their living from the land.
  It will take us, Congress, to relieve the pressure on the national 
crisis lines.
  Farmers and farm families deserve a chance--a chance for the 
dwindling number of farmers and ranchers who feed and help clothe us at 
prices that are unmatched around the world.
  I am reminded of the story that the former Chairman of the House 
Agriculture Committee, Kika De LeGarza, would tell.
  While touring a nuclear submarine, he asked the Commander how long 
could it stay submerged.
  After some reluctance in responding to what the Commander considered 
top secret information, he finally told the Chairman, ``As long as the 
food lasts.''
  Food, my friends, is vital to America's defense and national 
security.
  And, the crisis line is busy.
  Before the ``Freedom to Farm'' Bill of 1996, the farm price safety 
net was shield against uncertain and fluctuating commodity prices.
  When that Bill was being considered, we referred to it as ``Freedom 
to Fail.'' I am sad to report that our admonitions have been far too 
accurate. We must now correct that error.
  If we do nothing about the real problems facing these hard-working 
citizens, they may not be there at a later time.
  And, that will hurt all of us, because we too, as human beings, can 
stay only as long as the food lasts.
  That is why we need a Rural Caucus, and that is why we are here 
today.

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