[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 135 (Wednesday, October 10, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1842]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       FARM SECURITY ACT OF 2001

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. CHRISTOPHER JOHN

                              of louisiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2001

  Mr. JOHN. Mr. Speaker, across the board, commodity prices have 
dropped to record lows since the passage of the 1996 Farm Bill. Rural 
communities and farmers are in dire straits as to their future success. 
Today we are given the opportunity to help sustain our rural economies 
and help the lives of millions of Americans.
  We find ourselves at perhaps the most important crossroad in our 
nation's farm policy history. Today we have the power to profess our 
support for our nation's farm communities or risk their destruction at 
the hands of a well-intentioned, but potentially devastating policy 
proposal.
  Growing up in Southern Louisiana, I was surrounded by rice fields and 
farm communities. Southwest Louisiana is known for its Cajun heritage. 
A large part of this heritage comes from a strong farming tradition. 
This is true for many of our nation's rural communities. Since before 
this country's inception, farm communities have developed and sustained 
local economies and industry. Beyond this, these communities have 
developed their own way of life, their own culture of agronomy, their 
own agriculture.
  Through H.R. 2646 we have the opportunity to preserve this 
agriculture. We have lost many farmers over the past 5 years. However, 
we now are given the chance to save our local farmers and the 
industries that depend on a strong agricultural economy. By decreasing 
commodity programs through conservation policy, we sacrifice the 
farmers, as well as the mills, the seed and fertilizer suppliers, the 
crop aviators, the mechanics, and the thousands of other men and women 
directly affected by the health of our agricultural industry.
  I am a strong proponent of increased conservation programs. However, 
I cannot support these programs at the expense of our nation's farmers. 
We can, and should, find other vehicles to sustain our nation's 
environment. Increased conservation programs in H.R. 2646 provide a 
good beginning. Other policy initiatives, such as the Conservation And 
Reinvestment Act (CARA), can provide much needed assistance to preserve 
habitat and open space without coming out of the pockets of commodity 
producers and local economies.
  Without H.R. 2646, many of our nation's producers will not be able to 
survive. Without these farmers, many rural economies will not survive. 
And without a strong local economy, we run the risk of destroying even 
the culture of rural America. Please don't turn your backs on our 
nation's farming communities. As a hunter and sportsman I pledge to 
continue working with my colleagues to promote conservation, but not on 
this bill.

                          ____________________