[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 67 (Thursday, May 25, 2000)]
[House]
[Page H3857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    AGRICULTURE RISK PROTECTION ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Capps) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak about the importance 
of a conference report that passed in the House this afternoon, the 
Agriculture Risk Protection Act conference report. This bill provides 
important support for our Nation's farmers and ensures that Americans 
will have a steady and affordable food supply.
  I wish to address an issue that is of particular importance to my 
central coast district in California, and that is the spread of 
Pierce's Disease. I am pleased that this bill includes much-needed 
funding to combat Pierce's Disease and the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter 
which spreads it. This disease is having a devastating effect on 
California vineyards and needs to be brought under control before it 
does even greater damage.
  Although outbreaks in my district have been limited, recent sightings 
of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter are very worrisome. Just the other 
day, eggs of the Glassy-winged Sharpshooter were found on plants at two 
northern San Luis Obispo County nurseries.
  While we have been experimenting with different ways to combat 
Pierce's Disease, currently, there is no known cure. Central coast wine 
grape growers are banding together and contributing funds of their own 
to fight this disease. We in the Federal Government need to support 
these efforts.
  I joined members of the Wine Caucus in urging the agriculture 
subcommittee to increase funding for combating Pierce's Disease. I am 
pleased that this subcommittee saw the importance of this issue and 
provided appropriate funding in the Agriculture Risk Protection Act 
conference report.
  This bill provides the necessary support for our vineyards, with over 
$7 million in funding for control and containment activities in 
California, and $25 million to compensate growers for losses due to 
three different diseases, including Pierce's Disease. These Federal 
dollars will join with State funds and the private money raised to make 
a concerted effort to eradicate Pierce's Disease. That is our goal. We 
cannot rest until a cure for this disease is found, and the Glassy-
winged Sharpshooter is no longer a threat.
  Mr. Speaker, I am glad and pleased that this bill makes available a 
major step in that direction.

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