[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 1 (Thursday, January 4, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S29-S30]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            COLORADO WEATHER

  Mr. ALLARD. Mr. President, I come today to discuss the situation in 
Colorado and surrounding States that has captured national attention. 
Over the last few weeks Colorado and its neighbors have experienced two 
record-setting blizzards. In some parts of Colorado these storms 
dropped almost 5 feet of snow and have created a nightmare situation 
for many in rural America. Thousands of head of cattle and other 
livestock are currently stranded without food or water. Only recently 
have some of these animals begun to see relief with supply drops via 
helicopter.
  The aftermath of these devastating blizzards continues to paralyze 
many

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counties in Colorado and the West. Thousands of local men and women 
have banded together and are working to provide relief to their 
neighbors and to the tens of thousands of livestock facing starvation. 
Dozens of communities have experienced severe economic damage and loss 
as a result of these blizzards. These storms have created a dire 
situation.
  In the tradition of the West local individuals have pulled together 
and have spent much of their holiday season trying to dig each other 
out and reach stranded livestock. Locals are doing all that they can, 
and I am grateful for the assistance that the National Guard has 
provided. Unfortunately more needs to be done. I am introducing 
legislation today that will help provide Federal resources to the 
backbone of America; our producers. The legislation that I introduce 
today will reauthorize the Livestock Compensation Program and direct 
the Secretary of Agriculture to allocate funds to it from the Commodity 
Credit Corporation to help eligible producers that have suffered a loss 
from these blizzards.
  I am hopeful that the Senate will act swiftly on this important 
legislation that will get vital help to America's farmers and ranchers.

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