[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 62 (Thursday, May 18, 2006)]
[House]
[Page H2764]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE EFFECTS OF ENERGY COSTS ON OUR AGRICULTURE ECONOMY

  (Miss McMORRIS asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Miss McMORRIS. Mr. Speaker, agriculture is a billion dollar industry 
in Eastern Washington. And for those of us from Eastern Washington, as 
well as all across America, we must be promoting policies and projects 
that are going to help our farmers and ranchers.
  Over the past several months, I have heard from our farmers about 
high energy costs that are hurting their ability to do business. At a 
time when their profit margins are slim, unexpected increases in energy 
costs are having a devastating effect.
  I recently received a letter from a third generation farmer who 
prides himself on being a good steward of the land. He has never seen 
circumstances as severe and depressed. He mentions that the reason we 
are losing good family farms is because our agriculture economy is 
unable to absorb the energy costs for fuel and fertilizer. His costs 
alone are up 66 percent, and fertilizer costs are up 46 percent.
  We have the energy resources available here in the United States to 
solve this problem. We need to be taking steps right now to better meet 
our energy needs because America needs American energy. It includes 
increasing supply, conservation, and alternative fuels.
  Growing up on a family farm, I learned firsthand about these 
challenges, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to address 
this situation.

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