[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 92 (Friday, June 20, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Pages S8301-S8305]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. BROWNBACK (for himself, Mr. Nelson of Florida, and Mr.
Nickles):
[[Page S8302]]
S. 1303. A bill to amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act and
otherwise revise the Medicare Program to reform the method of paying
for covered drugs, drug administration services, and chemotherapy
support services; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. BROWNBACK. Mr. President, I rise today for the purpose of
introducing the Quality Cancer Care Preservation Act. This bill is
aimed at sending reinforcements to those on the front lines of the war
on cancer. While there are millions of researchers, policy makers, and
advocates fighting against cancer around the country, we cannot forget
that the real battles are won in the cancer center, where the care is
delivered. The war on cancer will be won by nurses, patients, and
physicians--one survivor at a time.
For years, bureaucrats at Medicare have overpaid for cancer drugs,
but underpaid for cost of administering the therapy. Unfortunately,
many in Washington have advocated fixing the overpayment for the drugs
and ignored the underpayment for administering the drug. Well, as any
cancer patient knows, while cancer therapies may be a miracle, it is
the oncology nurses that are the angels. That is why my colleagues and
I are offering this legislation, which we believe will bring about fair
reimbursement for chemotherapy drugs and administration.
I know that the managers of this bill have committed to work with,
and are working with the cancer community to find a reasonable solution
to this issue in the context of the Medicare bill that is on the floor.
On behalf of cancer patients around the country, I thank my colleague
for their dedication. I also thank my friend from Oklahoma for his
comments during the markup of S. 1 and for his dedication to ensure
proper reimbursement for cancer treatment.
My hope in introducing this bill at this time is that it can serve to
help my colleagues in their pursuit of fair reimbursement.
With that, I thank my colleagues.
______
By Ms. SNOWE (for herself and Ms. Mikulski):
S. 1304. A bill to improve the health of women through the
establishment of Offices of Women's Health within the Department of
Health and Human Services; to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions.
Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I rise to introduce the Women's Health
Office Act with my colleague, Senator Olympia Snowe. The Women's Health
Office Act authorizes and strengthens women's health offices or
officers at Federal health agencies in the Department of Health and
Human Services. This legislation will make sure that men and women get
equal benefit from Federal investments in medical research and health
care services.
Today, doctors, scientists, Members of Congress, and the American
public know that women and men have different bodies and different
health care needs. Diseases like ovarian cancer and endometriosis
affect only women. High blood pressure is two to three times more
common in women than men. Women are four times more likely to develop
osteoporosis than men. The number of uninsured women has grown three
times faster than the number of uninsured men over the past 5 years.
Women make three-quarters of all health care spending decisions for
themselves and their families.
For decades, despite these differences, men's health needs set the
standard for our health care system and our health care research
agenda. Women were systematically excluded from medical research
because decisionmakers said that our hormone cycles complicated the
results. One study on heart disease risk factors was conducted on
13,000 men--and not 1 woman. But the results of studies like these were
applied to both men and women. This neglect put women's health and
lives at risk.
That's why my colleagues and I took action. More than a decade ago, I
worked with Olympia Snowe, Ted Kennedy, Tom Harkin, and other women in
the House to get an Office of Research on Women's Health at the
National Institutes of Health, NIH. In 1993, I worked with these same
women and Galahads in Congress to make sure that the women's health
office would stay at NIH by putting it into law.
This office at NIH has made a real difference in how women are
treated for certain illnesses. We now know that men and women often
have different symptoms before a heart attack. Women's symptoms are
more subtle, like nausea and back pain. Knowing these systems means
women can get to the hospital sooner and can be treated earlier.
That's turning women's health research into life-saving information.
I am proud that there are now women's health offices or officers at
nearly every Federal health agency at the Department of Health and
Human Services. Like the one at NIH, women's health offices mean that
women's health needs are always at the table. These offices at the Food
and Drug Administration, (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, (CDC), and the Health Resources and Services
Administration, (HRSA) make sure women are included in clinical drug
trials, reach out to low-income and minority women to make sure they
are getting vaccines and cancer screenings, and work with health care
providers to put research on women's health into practice. Recent
questions about the risks and benefits of mammography and hormone
replacement therapy remind us that women's health offices are as
important as ever.
Right now, many of these offices and the important work they do could
be eliminated or cut back without the consent of Congress. That is why
this bill is so important. This bill would put women's health offices
into our Nation's law books.
The Women's Health Office Act does more than protect the status quo.
It keeps us moving forward on women's health. It gives women's health
offices a clear, consistent framework throughout the Department. By
writing them into law, it gives women's health offices the stature they
need to be strong, effective advocates for women's health within the
Federal Government. This legislation coordinates women's health
activities within each agency, to identify needs and set goals. The
women's Health Office Act centralizes overall coordination throughout
the Department of Health and Human services, to clarify lines of
accountability and chart a clear course on women's health. Finally, it
authorizes funding for these women's health offices or officers, to
make sure that we put our Nation's priorities in the Federal checkbook
as well as the Federal law books.
This bill has strong bipartisan support. During the 107th Congress,
the Women's Health Office Act passed the Senate Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions, HELP, Committee unanimously as part of a
comprehensive women's health bill that would have expanded women's
health research and improved women's access to health care. It also
passed the House of Representatives overwhelmingly during the 107th
Congress. I am disappointed that Congress was not able to pass this
bipartisan legislation, but I am hopeful that last year's momentum will
help us get to women's Health Office Act signed into law this year.
I would like to thank Senator Olympia Snowe for leading the way on
this important legislation. As Dean of the Senate women, I will
continue to fight to get this bill signed into law and to make progress
to improve the health of American women.
______
By Mr. BINGAMAN (for himself, Mr. Hatch, Mr. Baucus, Mr. Conrad,
Mr. Breaux, Ms. Snowe, Mrs. Lincoln, and Mr. Smith):
S. 1305. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide
for the treatment of certain motor vehicle dealer transitional
assistance; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I am introducing legislation today with
Senators Hatch, Baucus, Conrad, Breaux, Snowe, Lincoln and Smith that
will provide thousands of our Nations' automobile dealerships with
needed additional flexibility to re-invest franchise termination
payments so that taxes are not unfairly imposed. This legislation has
bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate and was included in
the Chairman's modified mark in last year's small business tax bill.
At the end of 2000, GM notified their 2,801 Oldsmobile dealers that
they were phasing out the 100 year-old Oldsmobile brand and its
complete line-up of vehicles shortly after the dealers had signed a new
agreement with a commitment of up to five years on this
[[Page S8303]]
product line. With this surprising elimination of the Oldsmobile
product line, many family-owned dealerships are facing an increased
threat to the viability of other product lines at their dealerships
and, in some cases, a complete loss of their business.
GM is in the process of compensating these dealers to minimize the
impact, as many of these dealers are facing a significant and
previously unforeseeable financial burden, through no fault of their
own, in connection with their efforts to continue in the automobile
retail business. The legislation we are introducing today seeks to
lessen that burden by allowing these dealerships up to two years to re-
invest their GM's financial assistance payments in other dealership
properties and defer payment of taxes under IRC Section 1031. Under
current law, the dealerships would only have 6 months to identify and
purchase a similar business or property. This time restriction would
make it difficult, if not impossible, for most of these businesses to
re-invest these payments because, as is the case with most franchises,
there are very few businesses or investments that are similar enough to
be considered ``like kind'' and hence qualify for tax deferral. The
failure to do so results in the owner paying taxes on the payment, even
if they are ultimately re-invested in a business that would have
qualified. Since the dealers did not want to forfeit their rights to
sell Oldsmobiles, this seems like a particularly harsh result.
In rural States like New Mexico, family-owned businesses supply the
majority of jobs and services in the State. This legislation gives
these small businesses an opportunity to continue their family-owned
businesses and, at the same time, give a boost to the local economy. I
look forward to working with my colleagues on advancing this
legislation.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 1305
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. MOTOR VEHICLE DEALER TRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE.
(a) In General.--For purposes of subtitle A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, in the case of a taxpayer who elects
the application of this section and who was a party to a
motor vehicle sales and service agreement with a motor
vehicle manufacturer who announced in December 2000 that it
would phase-out the motor vehicle brand to which such
agreement relates--
(1) amounts received by such taxpayer from such
manufacturer on account of the termination of such agreement
(hereafter in this section referred to as ``termination
payment'') are considered to be received for property used in
the trade or business of a motor vehicle retail sales and
service dealership, and
(2) to the extent such termination payment is reinvested in
property used in a motor vehicle retail sales and service
dealership located within the United States, such property
shall qualify as like-kind replacement property to which
section 1031 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 shall apply
with the following modifications:
(A) Such section shall be applied without regard to
subparagraphs (A) and (B)(ii) of subsection (a)(3).
(B) The period described in section 1031(a)(3)(B) of such
Code shall be applied by substituting ``2 years'' for ``180
days''.
(b) Rules for Election.--
(1) Form of election.--The taxpayer shall make an election
under this section in such form and manner as the Secretary
of the Treasury may prescribe and shall include in such
election the amount of the termination payment received, the
identification of the replacement property purchased, and
such other information as the Secretary may prescribe.
(2) Election on amended return.--The Secretary of the
Treasury shall permit an election under this section on an
amended tax return for taxable years beginning before the
date of the enactment of this Act.
(c) Statute of Limitations.--Notwithstanding the provisions
of any other law or rule of law, the statutory period for the
assessment for any deficiency attributable to any termination
payment gain shall be extended until 3 years after the date
the Secretary of the Treasury is notified by the taxpayer of
the like-kind replacement property or an intention not to
replace.
(d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to amounts
received after December 12, 2000, in taxable years ending
after such date.
Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I am proud to support Senator Bingaman's
legislation to ensure equitable tax treatment for Oldsmobile dealers
impacted by General Motors' sudden decision to eliminate the Oldsmobile
from its product line. General Motors did agree to partially compensate
Oldsmobile dealers for their loss.
Senator Bingaman's bill ensures that like-kind exchange treatment,
which defers the gain on the exchange of business or investment
property until it is ultimately sold, is also available for motor
vehicle dealers who receive payments when the brand of automobile they
carry is eliminated by the manufacturer. The proposal allows such
reinvested payments to be treated as a like-kind exchange of property
if exchanged within 2 years from receipt of the payments, thus
deferring the tax consequences. As such, the proposal encourages
capital investment by recognizing that a longer period of time is
required for dealers to obtain a new franchise or establish a new car
sales business.
The manufacturer, not the automobile dealer, makes the unilateral
decision to eliminate vehicle brands. Nonetheless, the dealer is the
one who invests years of hard work in bringing a particular brand to
his or her local community. When a manufacturer decides to eliminate a
brand, many family-owned dealerships face a complete loss of business
as well as an increased threat to the viability of other brands located
in the same facility.
Approximately one-third of the 2,801 Oldsmobile dealers across the
country are expected to reinvest the GM payments into another franchise
or other retail motor vehicle sales business. Many of the 27 Oldsmobile
dealers in Montana have expressed their interest in reinvesting the GM
payments they received, if this legislation becomes law. These
Montanans have been stripped of a source of income at a time when the
economy is not too forgiving.
I urge my colleagues to support this important legislation.
______
By Mrs. BOXER (for herself and Mrs. Feinstein):
S. 1306. A bill to introduce the efforts of the California Missions
Foundation to restore and repair the Spanish colonial and mission-era
missions in the State of California and to preserve the artworks and
artifacts of these missions, and for other purposes; to the Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources.
Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I am pleased to be introducing a bill
today that will provide the necessary resources to protect the 21
historic California missions for future generations. I am pleased to be
joined in this effort by my colleague from California, Senator
Feinstein.
The California missions represent some of our Nation's oldest
historical treasures. Furthermore, they are important illustrations of
the historical, cultural and architectural heritage of the State of
California. Yet, until recently, little had been done to preserve the
missions and their artifacts. They are in dire need of structural
repair and restoration.
The California missions are the most visited historic attractions in
the State, drawing more than 5 million tourists a year. The missions
also serve an important role in educating our children in the history
and the early settlement in California. We must make restoration and
protection of the missions a priority.
In 1998, the California Missions Foundation, a charitable
corporation, was established in the State of California to fund the
restoration and repair of the California missions and the preservation
of the Spanish colonial and mission-era artworks and artifacts of the
California missions. The Foundation is leading a statewide campaign to
raise funds to repair the missions and preserve their precious artworks
and artifacts. But they need help.
My legislation would provide $10 million for the restoration of the
California missions through a Department of the Interior grant program
to be administered over 5 years. These funds would supplement the
private and State funds that have been dedicated to preservation of the
missions.
The House version of the bill has been introduced by Representatives
Sam Farr and David Dreier. It has the support of a majority of the
California congressional delegation. It is my hope that this
legislation can move forward quickly, so we can restore and protect
these national treasures.
[[Page S8304]]
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``California Missions
Preservation Act''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) The California missions represent some of our Nation's
oldest historical treasures.
(2) The first of the California missions was founded in
1769, and eventually a chain of 21 missions and various sub-
missions extended along the coast of California on El Camino
Real.
(3) The California missions contribute greatly to the rich
historical, cultural, and architectural heritage of
California and the American West.
(4) The knowledge and cultural influence of native
California Indians made a lasting contribution to the early
settlement of California and the development of the
California missions.
(5) More than 5,300,000 people visit the California
missions annually, and the historical importance of the
California missions extends worldwide as they have become a
frequent destination for foreign visitors to the United
States.
(6) The history of the California missions is an important
educational component in California schools, and the study of
the California missions is part of the Statewide fourth grade
curricula on California history.
(7) Restoration and repair of the California missions, and
the preservation of the Spanish colonial and mission-era
artworks and artifacts of the California missions, for the
public enjoyment will ensure that future generations also
have the benefit of experiencing and appreciating these great
symbols of the spirit of exploration and discovery in the
American West.
SEC. 3. SUPPORT FOR THE RESTORATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE
CALIFORNIA MISSIONS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) California missions.--The term ``California missions''
means the following historic Spanish missions located in the
State of California and designated as California Registered
Historical Landmarks:
(A) Mission La Purisima Concepcion, Lompoc.
(B) Mission La Soledad, Soledad.
(C) Mission San Antonio de Padua, Jolon.
(D) Mission San Buenaventura, Ventura.
(E) Mission San Carlos Borromeo del Rio Carmelo, Carmel.
(F) Mission San Diego Alcala, San Diego.
(G) Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana, Mission Hills.
(H) Mission San Francisco de Asis, San Francisco.
(I) Mission San Francisco Solano, Sonoma.
(J) Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, San Gabriel.
(K) Mission San Jose, Fremont.
(L) Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan Bautista.
(M) Mission San Juan Capistrano, San Juan Capistrano.
(N) Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa and its Asistencia
(sub-mission) of Santa Margarita de Cortona, San Luis Obispo.
(O) Mission San Luis Rey de Francia and its Asistencia
(sub-mission), Oceanside.
(P) Mission San Miguel Arcangel, San Miguel.
(Q) Mission San Rafael Arcangel, San Rafael.
(R) Mission Santa Barbara Virgen y Martir, Santa Barbara.
(S) Mission Santa Clara de Asis, Santa Clara.
(T) Mission Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz.
(U) Mission Santa Ines Virgen y Martir, Solvang.
(V) Asistencia San Antonio de Pala, Pala.
(2) California missions foundation.--The term ``California
Missions Foundation'' means the charitable corporation
established in the State of California in 1998 to fund the
restoration and repair of the California missions and the
preservation of the Spanish colonial and mission-era artworks
and artifacts of the California missions. The Foundation is
exempt from State franchise and income tax and is organized
and operated exclusively for charitable purposes under
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.
(3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of the Interior.
(b) Grants Authorized.--The Secretary of the Interior may
make grants to the California Missions Foundation to support
the efforts of the California Missions Foundation to restore
and repair the California missions and to preserve the
artworks and artifacts associated with the California
missions. As provided in section 101(e)(4) of the National
Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470a(e)(4)), the
Secretary shall ensure that the purpose of a grant under this
section is secular, does not promote religion, and seeks to
protect those qualities that are historically significant.
(c) Application.--In order to receive a grant under this
section for the preservation of the California missions, the
California Missions Foundation shall submit to the Secretary
an application that includes--
(1) a status report on the condition of the infrastructure
and artifacts for each of the California missions; and
(2) a comprehensive program for restoration, repair, and
preservation of such infrastructure and artifacts, including
prioritized preservation efforts to be conducted over a 5-
year period and the estimated costs of such preservation
efforts.
(d) Matching Fund Requirement.--The Secretary shall require
the California Missions Foundation to match grant funds
provided under this section.
(e) Report.--As a condition of a grant under this section,
the California Missions Foundation shall submit to the
Secretary an annual report on the status of the preservation
efforts undertaken using grant funds provided under this
section. The Secretary shall submit a copy of each report to
Congress.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary a total of $10,000,000
during the five-fiscal year period beginning October 1, 2003,
to make grants under this section. Funds appropriated
pursuant to the authorization of appropriations in this
section shall be in addition to any funds made available for
preservation efforts in the State of California under the
National Historic Preservation Act.
______
By Mr. SMITH:
S. 1307. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior, acting
through the Bureau of Reclamation, to assist in the implementation of
fish passage and screening facilities at non-Federal water projects,
and for other purposes; to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources.
Mr. SMITH. Mr. President, today I am introducing legislation to
provide the Bureau of Reclamation, an agency of the Department of the
Interior, with limited off-site mitigation authority in the Columbia
River Basin. This legislation, if enacted, would enhance Reclamation's
ability to comply with the provisions of the December 2000 biological
opinion for operations of the Federal Columbia River Power System.
This legislation is similar to an Administration proposal that was
submitted to the Congress on October 30, 2002, but never introduced
during the 107th Congress. Prior to the introduction of this bill, I
have sought comments from numerous stakeholders in the Pacific
Northwest and have addressed any concerns raised whenever possible.
While there has been a recent court ruling on the 2000 biological
opinion that found certain aspects of the opinion to the arbitrary and
capricious, it is important to move forward with the reasonable and
prudent alternatives, including fish passage improvements. The
Administration is currently working to address the deficiencies in the
biological opinion. I remain committed to working with my colleagues,
the Northwest governors, and the Administration to keep salmon recovery
on track, while preserving the multiple benefits for the Pacific
Northwest of the Federal Columbia River Power System.
The good news in our region is that over the past few years there
have been robust salmon runs on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Promising new technologies, such as removable spillways, have also been
tested in recent years. I know that the Administration remains
committed to taking actions throughout the salmon's life cycle to
recover salmon runs in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. This important
legislation, if enacted, will provide yet another tool in addressing
the complex issues of salmon recovery. I urge my colleagues to join me
in supporting this legislation, and will press for its consideration in
a timely manner.
______
By Mr. WYDEN (for himself and Mr. Smith):
S. 1308. A bill to authorize the Secretary of the Interior to pursue
and complete actions related to the implementation of a U.S. District
of a U.S. District Court Consent Decree; to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources.
Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Savage Rapids
Dam Act of 2003, for myself and my friend and colleague from Oregon,
Senator Gordon Smith.
This legislation is another good example of the Oregon way: bringing
together varied interests to get win-win results for all stakeholders.
Born out of controversy concerning the detrimental effects of the
Savage Rapids Dam on fish passage and survival, this legislation is now
supported by the Grants Pass Irrigation District, Waterwatch, Oregon's
Governor, Trout
[[Page S8305]]
Unlimited, and various Oregon river guide and sport fishing concerns.
This legislation simply authorizes the Secretary of Interior, acting
through the Bureau of Reclamation, and the Secretary of Commerce,
acting through National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Fisheries, to undertake activities identified for Federal
implementation, including construction, in accordance with U.S.
District Court Consent Decree ``United States, et al., v. Grants Pass
Irrigation District, Civil No. 98-3034-HO'', August 27, 2001.
This legislation has been years in the making. Senator Smith and I
introduced a related measure in the 106th Congress. As we return to
this legislation in the 108th Congress, I look forward to working with
my colleagues in the Senate and the stakeholders at home to make this
legislation and this process work for the Grants Pass Irrigation
District and the environment.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 1308
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SEC. 1. AUTHORIZATION TO PARTICIPATE IN IMPLEMENTATION OF
CONSENT DECREE.
The Secretary of the Interior, acting through the Bureau of
Reclamation, and the Secretary of Commerce, acting through
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries,
are hereafter authorized to implement, and enter into
financial assistance or other agreements as may be necessary
to undertake activities identified for Federal implementation
(including construction) in accordance with U.S. District
Court Consent Decree ``United States, et al., v. Grants Pass
Irrigation District, Civil No. 98-3034-HO'' (August 27, 2001)
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be
necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.
______
By Mrs. LINCOLN (for herself and Mr. Pryor):
S. 1309. A bill to provide emergency assistance to producers that
have suffered crop losses due to disasters; to the Committee on
Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
Mrs. LINCOLN. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce the Emergency
Agriculture Assistance Act of 2003 on behalf of farmers throughout the
state of Arkansas.
Last month, my State was hit with devastating storms that produced at
least three dozen tornadoes and as much as 20 inches of rain fall.
These natural disasters occurred at the worst possible time for
farmers, at the beginning of the planting season, when they need to get
their crops into the ground.
This is a particularly vulnerable time for farmers, since freshly
planted crops are highly susceptible to severe weather conditions.
A single day of heavy rains and high winds can undo a months worth of
hard work, forcing producers to start over from scratch and replant
entire fields or even entire farms.
Recently I was home in east Arkansas and saw much of this damage
firsthand. To take just one example: In Mississippi County in northeast
Arkansas, where Clark Long farms with his two sons, Clark Jr. and
Nathan, 11 inches of rain fell in a two day period. As a result, the
Longs were forced to replant 1400 cotton acres. Other farmers I have
talked to are on their second or even third plantings.
Similar conditions abound throughout Mississippi County and northeast
Arkansas, where historic planting deadlines have now passed. As a rule
of thumb, a cotton farmer wants to have his crop planted no later than
May 20th in order to maximize yields and to avoid having to harvest his
crop in October. Farmers can typically expect yield reductions of up to
two percent per day beyond this deadline, since late crops are
generally more susceptible to weed and insect infestation and harsher
weather conditions.
Cotton farming, as well as farming commodities such as soybeans,
wheat, and rice, is an expensive and labor intensive process. These
severe weather conditions exacerbate that situation greatly and place
our farmers at serious risk.
We're going to monitor conditions throughout the year, guarding
against further threats from severe weather, such as further tornadoes
or even drought.
I urge my colleagues to join Senator Pryor and me in passing this
bill and protecting our farmers in this time of need.
Mr. PRYOR. Mr. President, I rise today along with my good friend and
colleague from Arkansas, Senator Lincoln, in support of the Emergency
Agricultural Assistance Act of 2003 to assist those in the agriculture
community who have been devastated by natural disaster across our
country.
I hold in my hand a June 19th article from the Arkansas Democrat-
Gazette that describes one of the countless stories of farmers across
my State and the hardships they have faced due to unusually large
amounts of rainfall their farms have received during the absolute worst
possible time. In the past month, some areas have received in excess of
twenty inches of rain. Arkansas, along with many other States across
the Midwest and South, has been pelted continuously by rain and
numerous tornadoes. As many as three dozen tornadoes have touched down
in Arkansas alone. Bob Bevis, a farmer in Lonoke County, AR hasn't been
able to work for three weeks due to soggy fields. In the meantime,
wheat crops that were expected to bring record yields rot in the field,
waiting for water to recede before the wheat can be harvested. Over
fifty percent of Arkansas' wheat crop remains in the field, and with
every passing day, the prospects for a successful harvest of wheat
diminish. If current weather conditions abate, our farmers may be able
to harvest five hundred fifty thousand acres, the lowest total in over
seventeen years.
The harvest of winter wheat has been greatly affected by weather. But
winter wheat, generating $112.1 million in sales last year, represents
only the fourth largest field crop in Arkansas. Rice, soybeans, and
cotton represent our top three field crops. During the time wheat is
being harvested, these other crops are being planted. Thus, while wheat
has been affected, soybeans, cotton, rice, and numerous other crops
have been devasted just as they are being put into the ground. Fields
are under water. Crops that were planted early have been wiped out.
Over 1.3 million acres of farmland across Arkansas have been affected
by the excessive rainfall. Many of these acres had to be replanted, and
just as quickly as our farmers began to have hopes of a decent crop,
those hopes were dashed by disasters beyond their control. As you and
many of our colleagues know, this is the critical time for planting
crops. The later crops get in the ground, the later they will be
harvested. The later they are harvested, the greater the chance insect
problems, weed problems, and a whole host of other problems will damage
these crops become likely. Yields will be dangerously low. Our farmers
cannot suffer this burden alone. Our farmers provide our citizens
around the country with an abundant food supply, greater than any other
country in the world. We have the safest, least expensive food in the
world, because farm families who are suffering through excessively
tough times now work from dawn to dusk in the fields to make sure that
we do. As a country, and as a government, I hope that my colleagues
will show these dedicated Americans the support they deserve. They need
our help, and they have asked for our help. I consider this a matter of
national and homeland security, and I hope that my colleagues will see
it this way as well.
This bill will provide farmers in disaster areas designated by the
President who experience a thirty-five percent yield loss with disaster
assistance. I would like to thank my colleague from my home state for
her hard work and collaboration on this bill. I look forward to working
with my colleagues to ensure our farmers get the support and help they
need to keep America's food supply safe, inexpensive, and the best in
the world.
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